Tinnitus, Hearing Loss and Dementia?

[Jason C]

Since acquiring tinnitus and a degree of hearing loss due to exposure to a loud siren last may, I have been doing a lot of research as one does. My hearing loss does seem mild (5 dB dip at 4 kHz) aural fullness mostly in the left ear, the tinnitus is hard to deal with and the life changes that brings with it are very scary.

As many of us on here would in fairness be a lot more knowledgeable on the subject than most doctors, do we agree that there is a link between tinnitus, hearing loss and dementia??

I can see how the link would be made with age related hearing loss as if one was too lose hearing due to ageing then the same process could be responsible for causing memory and cognitive issues leading to dementia.

Hearing loss along with reduced quality of life and being isolated from society to a degree would possibly accelerate the process.

My question is, does hearing loss caused by noise exposure pose the same risks of developing dementia?? Obviously tinnitus is enough to drive someone nuts and hearing loss is difficult to deal with. I would assume after damage due to noise exposure that hearing gets worse faster over time and therefore the social isolation would also play a part along with the cognitive decline in the brain.

I know this is not something any of us want to think about but just trying to get an idea on your thoughts??

Jason.

 

[Coyotesheaven]

I don't think so necessarily with noise induced hearing loss. I had read the studies as well and, as you mentioned, the secondary effects of dementia seem to be related largely to social isolation and lack of communication as a consequence of severe hearing impairment, or at least that is what they have theorized. If you get hearing aids or a CI as one of the steps to prevent a social barrier, there is talk that it would mitigate this secondary side effect. Most of the research is just a correlation, however, and nobody yet knows the reason why precisely (or correct me if I am wrong about this and that new research has come out). I also know very little about dementia.

Then again, good inner ear and vestibular function are directly tied to the functioning of cognitive processes. Any incapacitation with your balance from more severe inner ear problems can lead to brain fog, cognitive problems, potentially some forms of memory loss, etc, because your brain is using more of its power than usual to compensate for a lack of vestibular, and possibly hearing input. It's simply a lack of energy and input into other regions of your brain. Can't find the clinical papers, but this website has provided a tidbit summary about the effects of an inner ear disorder on cognition:
http://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorder/symptoms

When I had more severe vertigo back last year, I did experience brain fog, trouble finding words, slurred speech, etc. They went away within a few weeks, and may well have been related to recurring migraines, which can produce the same effect. But for me, there has definitely been a transient effect on my cognition. My memory (at least my long term memory), on the other hand, is still sharp as a whip even when I was experiencing this!

And you yourself should not be worrying about this. 5 dB of hearing loss at 4k is nothing, and very healthy more or less. I envy that that is the only loss you have, and you should have little concern about very advanced inner ear consequences, including dementia in the present. All you really need to focus on is protecting yourself from loud noise.

 

[PaulBe]

I agree with you Jason. Over the last two years I've noticed my concentration, memory and application to tasks isn't what it once was. The distraction effect?

 

[Coyotesheaven]

@JasonC

My (original) hearing loss was caused by listening to my ipod too much up through 2014. My real problems started after being exposed to a loud scream with my earplugs in. You can read about the rest on my profile page.

I'm sorry to hear of the problems you have been experiencing. All to similar to my situation; I'm glad you have a good job though. I'm still housebound and unemployed.

Have you done any vestibular therapy yet?

 

[James]

I don't want to believe of any link between cognitive decline and hearing loss. Getting older is having its own issues.

 

[PaulBe]

I have noticed some occasions when my memory for immediate and familiar tasks seems to seize up completely in a way I never experienced prior to all this.

 

[Lorac]

My mother is 92 years old and 90% deaf. She has been using hearing aids for over fifty years. At the age of 92, she is still a voracious reader and serves on her town's library board. She was a member of the school board, zoning committee, church council, etc well into her eighties. She handles her own finances. She takes care of her own medications. She uses social media. She doesn't drive anymore because of other health problems but when I drive her around, she tells me where to turn, what lane to be in, etc.

 

[Frédéric]

Neurocognition of Aged Patients With Chronic Tinnitus: Focus on Mild Cognitive Impairment

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

I asked my GP what connection there is between tinnitus and dementia. The GP answered:

"With the tinnitus and hearing the sufferers have the tendency to isolate for reasons such as unable to hear or follow a conversation. As these symptoms progress and the more they avoid social situations the mind becomes dormant. A study shows this can lead to dementia, more so in the elderly.

Hearing aids, if worn, will help because they help with being able to hear conversations which in turn keeps the mind active. Reading will help as it makes the brain think and stay active."

Then the GP said I don't need to worry because I'm very active. That comment was uplifting.

Get involved, stay active and force yourselves to be involved.

Sincerely
Elmerbfuddled

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

I agree with you Jason. Over the last two years I've noticed my concentration, memory and application to tasks isn't what it once was. The distraction effect?

@PaulBe same with me. Memory more so.

 

[JohnAdams]

My father was exposed to some toxic substance that gave him neurological damage that in turn gave him dementia like symptoms. He lived that way for 10 years. I watched him deteriorate from a silver medal winning Olympic downhill snow skier, weightlifter, firefighter, into a frail, weak, scared, skinny, bag of flesh incapable of feeding or bathing himself. It started in his late 40s' and he died in front of me, put down like a sick dog, on Christmas day 2016. I will never allow myself to be seen by my family in such a state. If I ever get diagnosed dementia I will "disappear" and no one will ever find me.