About 25% of people between ages 65 and 74 experience disabling hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders ó a percentage that doubles for those over 75.Many physical and mental issues affect hearing loss, such as dementia, memory loss and balance.It doesn’t take long to determine if a person has hearing loss, said Allison Groninger, a physician assistant with Colorado Springs Hearing Associates. She said a 15-minute test can determine hearing loss in a person. The test can indicate the frequency of sounds one can hear, how a person understands words and how well someoneís eardrums function. Groninger said in rare cases hearing loss can be restored by surgery, but in most cases hearing aids are required.Hearing loss is estimated to account for 8% of dementia cases, according to the Bloomberg School of Public Health at John Hopkins University. Groninger reiterated the connection.ìYes, we have seen a link between the two,î she said. ìWe don’t know why. We have been pushing for hearing aids even if you have a small hearing loss to prevent dementia. The risk of dementia doubles with hearing loss, according to some studies.î Groninger said there are nine factors that can contribute to dementia, and hearing loss is No. 1.Hearing loss can be associated with balance, too. ìWe always ask about balance,î she said.As people get older, they should have their hearing tested.The AARP recommends that everyone have a hearing check at age 60 to establish a baseline ìBy age 65, a person should have a hearing test,î Groninger said. People who work in occupations where there is constant noise, such as construction, should be tested earlier and frequently.ìSeniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who don’t lose their hearing,î according to an article in the May 7, 2019, Health Journal. The article states that hearing losses can drain mental energy when a person has trouble hearing normal conversations. Mental energy loss can result in memory deficits and other cognitive functions.Hearing help for low income seniorsHEARS is a 30-plus-year-old, all-volunteer nonprofit that provides new hearing aids to low income residents of El Paso County. The Sertoma Club founded HEARS in 1988 and is now its own nonprofit. HEARS provides hearing aids with professional audiological services to those who cannot afford them. They provide a 100% subsidy of the costs for those at or below 125% of federal poverty income. Two-thirds of HEARS clients pay only a $20 registration fee for new digital hearing aids. The HEARS Office is manned only on Thursdays, from 8:30 to 11:30 am. HEARS Cell Phone: (719) 352-5124. (Leave a message on the cell phone any time.)Other sources:Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind; 1575 Sherman Street in Denver ó 720-457-3679. (https://www.ccdhhdb.comPikes Peak Council of Sertomanshttp://www.pikespeakcouncilofsertomans.org/club-events.html
