Patients with hearing loss are at 2-5 times higher risk of developing dementia...What about prevention and treatment?
Mar 09, 2025
|
As such, hearing loss can have a great influence on daily life and social relations beyond the inconvenience of not being able to hear well. However, many people often regard hearing loss as insignificant or accept and neglect it as a natural process of aging. Hearing loss can be sufficiently managed by early detection and proper treatment and rehabilitation. Attention to auditory health and preventive efforts are important.
Professor Lee Hyun-jin of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Catholic University of Korea's Incheon St. Mary's Hospital said, "Deafness is not just a condition that is hard to hear, but it is an important health problem that can significantly reduce the quality of an individual's life." He often associates hearing loss with aging, but in fact, the causes of hearing loss are very diverse. From birth factors to noise exposure, otitis media, side effects of certain drugs, and trauma, it can be caused by a number of factors."
According to the Korean Academy of Gynecology, the number of people with hearing loss in Korea is estimated to reach 3 million in 2026 and up to 7 million in 2050. The increase in the deaf population is closely related not only to aging but also to environmental factors and lifestyle habits.
Deafness is largely divided into total negative hearing loss, sensory nerve hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss, depending on the cause and location of the occurrence. Electronic hearing loss refers to a case of disability in the process of transmitting sound to the cochlear duct through the ear canal, eardrum, and middle ear. It is mainly caused by otitis media, obstruction of the ear canal due to earwax, and perforation of the eardrum.
Sensory nerve hearing loss refers to a case in which the ability to recognize sound is reduced due to damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve. There are various causes, such as progressive senile hearing loss due to aging, noise-induced hearing loss caused by continuous noise exposure, genetic factors, and drug side effects. Sensory hearing loss can be heard, but it is often difficult to hear or understand due to distorted speech. Mixed hearing loss is a case of simultaneous electronegative and sensory nerve hearing loss, and more complex causes and treatment are required.
Professor Lee Hyun-jin said, "When hearing loss occurs, not only can you hear difficulty in hearing, but you can lose confidence in interpersonal relationships and be socially isolated."He warned that in severe cases, cognitive decline and the risk of developing dementia may increase.
In fact, studies show that elderly people with hearing loss have two to five times higher risk of developing dementia than those who do not. This is because the auditory central function of the brain decreases as auditory stimulation decreases, and the overall cognitive function is affected. This is why it is important to detect hearing loss early and treat it properly.
The treatment method of hearing loss depends on the cause and degree. In the case of total negative hearing loss, treatment of the causative disease may be considered, or surgical treatment such as eardrum plastic surgery or ectopic reconstruction may be considered. Sensory nerve hearing loss is difficult to treat fundamentally because damaged hair cells do not regenerate naturally, but hearing aids or artificial woo transplants can aid hearing. In particular, if hearing loss is suspected, it is important to immediately visit a specialist for an accurate diagnosis and start treatment. In the case of sudden occurrence of sudden hearing loss, such as sudden hearing loss, treatment must be performed within golden time to increase the possibility of hearing recovery.
In order to prevent hearing loss, efforts to protect auditory health in life are necessary. When using earphones, it is recommended not to listen for more than 60 minutes continuously and to keep the volume below 60% of the maximum volume. It is also important to wear earplugs in noisy environments and treat them quickly without leaving them unattended if there is an ear disease such as otitis media. It is also a good way to detect and manage hearing loss early through regular hearing tests.
Professor Lee Hyun-jin said "Deafness is a problem that can come to anyone, but if you prevent and manage it early, you can overcome it enoughHearing the sound " is more than just a sense. It's an important window to connect us with the world, and efforts to protect it are important investments to improve the quality of life."
|
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
