Dr Hilary Jones has revealed a common health issue could lead to an increased risk of developing dementia.
While some may believe it’s a natural part of ageing, the ITV doctor says that 40 per cent of dementia cases are preventable.
He shared: “People think that dementia is just a part of ageing and it’s inevitable but it’s not, it’s not a part of natural ageing, because relatively young people can develop dementia.”
Dr Hilary says the number one issue that can lead to dementia is a loss of hearing. He continued: “There are things you can do yourself. About 40 per cent of dementia cases are preventable, or can be helpful in delaying the onset of dementia, and right at the top there is loss of hearing.”
The 71-year-old says those with poor hearing can miss out on conversation, which can then lead to becoming “disengaged from the world around you. You stop talking, you stop getting input from other people, your brain just shuts down,” he added.
Stressing the importance of taking action if concerned, he added: “So, getting your hearing checked and getting a hearing aid is really important in keeping people in touch with the world around them.” He went on to say that, with hearing aids becoming more discreet, the stigma around using the device is fading.
Alzheimer’s Society echo the doctor’s words, with research suggesting that those who develop hearing problems mid-life (aged 40 to 65) have an increased risk of dementia.
The website reads: “To reduce the risk of dementia, it’s important to get your hearing tested. The use of hearing aids has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia to the level of a person with normal hearing.”
Although it’s important to acknowledge that hearing loss is only a risk factor and does not mean that a person with hearing loss will develop dementia. The society adds that there are two types of hearing loss; peripheral hearing loss and central hearing loss.
“Peripheral hearing loss is the reduced abilities of the ears to detect sounds. This does increase a person’s risk of developing dementia,” the website reads. “Central hearing loss involves problems with processing sounds in the brain, that are not able to be corrected with hearing aids.”
They add that this could be a very early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, as sound processing parts of the brain are affected by the disease.
Other early symptoms of dementia according to NHS
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memory loss
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mood changes
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being confused about time and place
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struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
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finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks
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difficulty concentrating
The health website explains: “These symptoms are often mild and may get worse only very gradually. It’s often termed ‘mild cognitive impairment’ (MCI) as the symptoms are not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia.”
It adds that as dementia progresses, memory loss and difficulties with communication often become more severe. In the later stages, the person is likely to neglect their own health, have issues with the likes of their mobility and behaviour, and require constant care and attention.