Can treating hearing loss help prevent dementia?

1. Can treating hearing loss help prevent dementia? A study conducted by The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention and Care noted that 50 million people have dementia worldwide – and that number is expected to triple by 2050. The need for dementia prevention and management is urgent, as dementia not only affects the person who has it, but it also impacts their family and friends. The nine lifestyle factors The Lancet Commission’s 24 international experts concluded that one in three cases of dementia could be prevented if people managed nine lifestyle factors – one of which is managing hearing loss during midlife (between age 40-65). The other eight include: • Increased childhood education • Regular exercise • Maintaining social engagements

2. • Reducing or stopping smoking • Managing depression • Managing diabetes • Managing hypertension • Avoid obesity Dementia typically doesn’t manifest itself with symptoms until age 65+, but the study’s authors say it likely begins between ages 40-65. If people can manage the above nine modifiable risk factors early on in life, it could great contribute to preventing or delaying dementia. Content Source