Photo: Contributed
Dementia is one of the most heart-wrenching diseases a family can endure.
It is not a preventable disease, but there are some aspects that can be changed to mitigate the risk of getting this terrible affliction, and hearing loss has been deemed the No. 1 modifiable risk factor of dementia.
Dr. Nichole Sorensen, a doctor of audiology and owner of Lakeside Hearing, will discuss the topics of dementia and hearing loss next week. She will be at her Kelowna clinic on Wednesday, Jan. 22, and at the Lake Country clinic on Friday, Jan. 24.
The Brain Hearing Technology Events are free, and you can register for a spot here. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask the questions that matter to them most.
They will also be able to register for a free hearing screening, qualify for a $500 credit toward treatment options and be entered into a draw to win a set of Signia 7X hearing aids valued at $5,390.
The three leading theories behind hearing loss being a risk factor for dementia are:
• Social isolation is the result of those with hearing loss missing parts of conversations and then not taking part in them at all.
• Decreased brain activation occurs when hearing loss sufferers detect less environmental information and therefore get less of it sent to their brain.
• Finally, cognitive overload happens because someone with hearing loss struggles to keep up with the flow of conversation and the brain over exerts itself to try and listen.
Sorensen will be joined by 46-year-old Michelle Davies, who will speak about her life experience with hearing loss and how she has taken steps to maintain her cognitive function with her hearing aids. Davies will also share a personal view on different hearing aid technologies she has tried.
This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Okanagan Edge.
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