A link between hearing loss and dementia?

Researchers in the United States have found a close relationship between losing your hearing and memory loss. The study was carried out at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. 693 men and women aged between 36-90 years were studied. All participants underwent initial hearing and cognitive testing at the outset of the study between 1990 and 1994; none of the participants had dementia at that point.
These participants were then followed for the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia through to 2008 - an average of 12 years.

The study revealed that the risk of dementia increased among participants with at least a mild 25-decibel reduced hearing ability. Participants with more severe hearing loss were most likely to be diagnosed with dementia – and even Alzheimer's. The relationship between Alzheimer's and hearing loss should come as no surprise - After all, how can you remember what someone said if you didn't hear them say it.

Several symptoms are common to both Alzheimer's and untreated hearing loss. These symptoms include depression, anxiety, feelings of isolation and problems with talking and understanding what is being said. In addition, people with either Alzheimer's or unidentified hearing loss may have inappropriate responses to social cues, lower scores on tests of mental function, attitudes of denial, defensiveness, or negativity, and increased distrust of others' motives, even those of family and friends.

Research has shown that hearing loss damages interpersonal and family relationships and may lead to emotional instability, low self-esteem and even depression. Untreated hearing loss not only reduces one's quality of life, but it can also result in the brain losing its capacity to recognise everyday sounds.

Therefore, it is imperative that a hearing loss is dealt with as quickly as possible and using the most appropriate and up to date technology available will significantly ease everyday communication.

The height of discretion

Long gone are the days when a hearing aid was a large, obvious, embarrassing beige-coloured prosthesis with poor performance. Just like computers and mobile telephones from a decade ago, modern hearing aids are now available as much smaller devices and they perform in unthinkable ways compared to ten years ago. The best type of hearing assistance depends on the level of hearing loss, lifestyle and size of ear canal. However, they are all significantly less noticeable than trying to cope unaided with hearing difficulties. Nothing is more obvious than frequently asking people to repeat themselves.

House of Hearing comes to Glasgow!

House of Hearing are delighted to announce the opening of a new centre in Glasgow! This is a joint venture with Scotland's leading independent optical chain, Black & Lizars, and is the first of what we hope will be a series of new dispensing locations throughout Scotland.

The new store is situated in their highly impressive Fenwick Road branch, in the south side of Glasgow, and our dedicated audiology suite within the centre sits perfectly alongside the high level of clinical eye care and optical products already available in the store.


Colin I'Anson, one of our younger dispensing audiologists, originally hails from this part of the world, and he has taken responsibility for managing the store. Providing a centre in Glasgow is obviously a boon to many of our existing customers from the west, and part of our strategy to offer what we see as the highest level of digital hearing aid provision throughout Scotland.

If you wish to make an appointment to see Colin then please contact the store directly on 0141 621 1122.

Signature 2: The Next Generation

In a recent blog post, we told you of our desire to deliver exemplary hearing care with quality bespoke hearing instruments for truly individual assistance.

The Signature range of hearing instruments has been especially commissioned by AIHHP 'Centre of Excellence' clinics and we are pleased to announce that a new 2nd Generation instrument has been released called Signature 2.

Easier speech clarity in noise and unparalleled sound quality were two of the most important criteria we looked for and we are pleased to announce that Signature achieves both these goals.

Signature spotlights technology featured in all premium brands but at a lower cost. Using the latest research, we know that getting the best out of your hearing requires a combination of state of the art technology and professional expertise to precisely tailor the sound to match your own unique 'hearing signature'.

By commissioning Signature, we wanted to cut through the hearing aid marketing material with a simple message. Your signature is your seal of approval and is unique to you. This new instrument allows us to personalise the sound quality just for you, even more than before, to make it as individual as your signature.

To find out if Signature is suitable for you, call us on 0131 220 1220 or email us.