The Zombies May Be On To Something! Need Brains!

Healthy ones, that is.  Never before has there been more interest in "brain training".  My mother-in-law turned me on to "Lumosity" a year ago.  I have to admit, I was skeptical.  But I was also intrigued....could I preserve my brain function?  Could I stave off dementia?  We all know that we need to exercise our bodies for better health, but exercise our brain?

And what's the difference between Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia?  Both terms seem to be used interchangeably.  Dementia is defined by the Alzheimer's Organization as a term used to describe a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities.  According to Alzheimer's Disease International, Alzheimer's disease is a FORM of dementia that destroys brain cells and nerves disrupting the transmitters, which carry messages in the brain.

Recent studies are suggesting a connection between hearing loss and dementia.  The relationship is being studied by Johns Hopkins University as well as other institutions.  Research which was published in the Archives of Neurology, found that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing.  The study also found that the greater the hearing loss, the higher their likelihood of developing dementia.

At my national Audiology convention in April I attended multiple classes which presented research on the association of untreated hearing loss and dementia.  Although they are still studying the relationship, the underlying connection seems to be ISOLATION.  According to a Johns Hopkins study on hearing loss and cognitive function, isolation is a known risk factor for dementia.  When people have hearing loss, they become uncomfortable in social situations because they often can't hear and/or understand what people are saying.  Their hearing difficulties cause them to respond incorrectly or miss the punch-line of a joke.  Social situations often involve large groups of people and poor acoustics which makes hearing more difficult than usual.  Sadly their solution is to withdraw from situations where they have trouble hearing.  No more parties, dinner with friends, bridge club or church.

The same Johns Hopkins study, stated that the reason for the link between the two conditions is unknown, but investigators suggest that a common pathology may underlie both or that the strain of decoding sounds over the years may overwhelm the brains of people with hearing loss, leaving them more vulnerable to dementia.

In fact, the symptoms of untreated hearing loss and Alzheimer's Disease are extremely similar.  As we learn more about how the brain works, we may be able to prevent all forms of dementia, but for now we need to do whatever it takes to reduce the isolation which seems to be a factor.  So get your hearing tested!  Wear your hearing aids faithfully!  And stay with the group!  Preserve your brain and who knows, maybe a zombie may be interested in it.  You too could be zombie bait.....