At Audiology Center of Maine, it is our privilege to provide you with the gold standard in hearing healthcare assessment, diagnosis and treatment. We understand that starting hearing loss treatment early will lead to the best outcomes for our patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hearing loss, a progressive degenerative disorder, impacts nearly 50 million people in the U.S. It\u2019s listed with the Department of Health and Human Services as the third most chronic disorder affecting today\u2019s older population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, hearing loss that occurs as we age is nearly inevitable, impacting up to 50% of seniors 75 years and older, up to 60% of people between the ages of 70-80 and up to 80% of individuals over 80. This slow-onset disease can have a significant impact on several key areas, including the memory, hearing, speech and language portions of cognition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several key research studies have pointed to the potential links of hearing loss and dementia, including the groundbreaking work from Johns Hopkins Center that indicates hearing loss can increase the risk of memory loss, cognitive decline and dementia by as much as 500%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s not always easy to tell if you’re losing your hearing. Common symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes someone else might notice problems with your hearing before you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hearing loss can affect nearly all aspects of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early detection and treatment of hearing loss can significantly improve your prognosis for recovery. It can also help reduce the risk of degeneration in cognitive function and other aspects of your health. When hearing loss is addressed promptly, individuals are more likely to experience improved communication, enhanced quality of life and better overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recent scientific reports indicate that as many as 4 in 10 cases of dementia are considered preventable<\/em> (Lancet, 2020). Early treatment of hearing loss is indicated to significantly lower the risk of dementia. In addition, reports indicate that addressing hearing loss may slow down the progression of cognitive decline and dementia. Reports also show that treating hearing loss may improve cognitive function by enhancing memory recall, processing speed and selective attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our audiologists and support team prioritize the thorough assessment and treatment of hearing loss. We firmly assert that upon identifying hearing impairment, timely intervention (including the use of prescriptive hearing devices) is crucial to mitigate the heightened risk of communication difficulties, cognitive decline, falls and accidents. We anticipate and trust that individuals seeking our services are committed to promptly pursuing recommended treatment following diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAudiology Center of Maine Can Identify Hearing Loss Early<\/h2>\n\n\n\n