Key Summary
- Research shows that one in three people in the UK are affected by hearing loss
- More than half of them are not aware that, if left untreated, it could lead to dementia
- Pharmacists can play a pivotal role in the early detection of hearing loss among patients
More than half of people (53 percent) with hearing loss are not aware that leaving it untreated can accelerate cognitive decline and lead to dementia, according to new research.
Increasing evidence highlights that identifying and addressing hearing loss early can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline, says TympaHealth, a team of doctors and technology experts working for better ear and hearing health.
This makes ear and hearing health one of the most significant modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The warning comes during World Alzheimer’s Month, as research shows that one in three people in the UK are affected by hearing loss.
According to TympaHealth founder Dr Krishan Ramdoo, untreated hearing loss increases cognitive strain as the brain works harder to process sound, while social withdrawal can accelerate memory decline.
The brain’s auditory processing centres may also weaken if hearing loss is left unaddressed, compounding the risk of cognitive impairment, the veteran surgeon and clinical entrepreneur added.
TympaHealth feels that pharmacists embedded in local communities can play a pivotal role in early detection and prevention.
Dr Ramdoo said, “Pharmacists are often the first point of contact for health concerns. They can look out for warning signs such as frequent requests for speech repetition or difficulty following conversations, which should prompt further investigation.
“Ear and hearing health should be treated with the same importance as blood pressure or cholesterol. Thanks to advances in technology, hearing assessments can now be offered conveniently in pharmacies, enabling early intervention before cognitive decline accelerates.
“By incorporating routine hearing checks into pharmacy services, pharmacists can help reduce the potential risk of dementia and improve patients’ quality of life.”
The research was conducted by Obsurvant, on behalf of TympaHealth, and over 1000 people from across the UK, between the ages of 18 and 65 and over, were surveyed between January 29 and 30.
