What You Don’t Hear Can Hurt You
Poor Hearing Health Raises Dementia Risks
Have you noticed you are turning up the TV?
Is it hard to hear your spouse?
Do you have trouble hearing in groups or at restaurants?
If yes, you may be suffering from hearing loss.
According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 25 percent of people 65 to 74, and 50 percent of those 75 and older, have disabling hearing loss. Don’t wait, unaddressed hearing loss can have long-term, potentially devastating effects, beyond lifestyle issues.
A joint study by John Hopkins Medicine and the National Institute on Aging has released powerful data showing untreated hearing loss results in a higher incidence of early onset dementia. Dr. Turri, Director of Audiology at The Villages Health, says “The #1, single most modifiable factor for preventing Dementia is the treatment of hearing loss. Yes, reducing obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiovascular disease are important. It is also important to increase social activity, enhance our education and supplement our nutrition. These can all play a part in helping us to prevent Dementia; but none, even when combined, are nearly as effective as the treatment of hearing loss.”
Those findings further support the need for early detection and correction. “When patients delay treatment, brain function and cognitive ability can be impaired significantly from auditory deprivation,” says Dr. Turri.
Check Your Hearing Health
Take the quiz below to see if you may be suffering from hearing loss.
Did you answer yes to the questions in the quiz? This may indicate that you are suffering from hearing loss.
The good news is that The Villages Health can help you overcome this obstacle.
Get a Free Hearing Screening
If you answered yes to most of the questions in the quiz and think you may suffer from hearing loss, your next step is to take a free hearing screening with a board-certified Audiologist. At The Villages Health, we have five board-certified audiologists conveniently located at seven different Care Centers throughout The Villages community.
If you fail a hearing screening, the doctor can take next steps during the screening.
Take a Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation
The next step is to take a Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation. This test examines your hearing threshold, speech discrimination and your air and bone conduction. These three types of hearing tests allow our audiologist to determine whether or not you have hearing loss, what type of hearing loss you may have and to what degree, and what type of treatment you may need.
One of our board-certified Audiologists will explain your test results and discuss your treatment options, which may include hearing aids. They will find a hearing aid solution that works best for your personal needs, so you can restore your hearing and continue to enjoy an active lifestyle.
“I was very impressed with the honesty and integrity of my audiologist at The Villages Health. I came in with two hearing aids, and they discovered I only have hearing loss in one ear – and therefore, I only need one hearing aid.”
-Art Minier –Patient at Creekside Care Center
If you are a candidate for hearing aids, you can rest-assured that you will receive a risk-free, 30-day trial. This means you can try out your hearings aids to make sure you have the perfect fit before making a commitment.
After your trial, our audiology team will continue to follow up every 4 months to ensure you experience optimum hearing in all areas of your life. During this time, we will clean your hearing aids, test them to make sure they are working properly and refit to your comfort level.
Hearing loss and gain changes over time, so we will continually assess your hearing health and adjust your hearing aids. We want you to hear and experience everything at its best, from the TV in your living room and phone calls with grandchildren, to live entertainment on the square or the faint rustling of leaves.
Get Educated Before Making a Decision
Understanding the impact of hearing health, as well as the many ways to treat hearing loss, can help you make an informed decision about your treatment. To that end, The Villages Health has implemented educational programs on the subject, along with a brain fitness program.
Our learning seminars provide free resources for everyone in the community. You do not have to be patient or resident of The Villages to attend.
Hearing loss is serious and should be treated as soon as possible. Don’t delay. Get in touch with us for more information at 352-205-4032.