Choose Healthy Habits for Healthy Aging
What do hearing loss and stress levels have in common? Reducing both may lead to healthier aging in the long run, including a potential decrease in cognitive decline.
Studies show that higher stress throughout life can lead to a greater chance of cognitive decline in one’s later years.
What You Can Do
In honor of Healthy Aging Month this September, we invite you to take steps toward living a happier, healthier life, regardless of your current age. The sooner healthier habits take root, the better the chances that you can enjoy the things about life you love most for many decades to come.
The best place to start is with a few simple, easy-to-do activities that can give you an edge starting today:
· Make a habit of going on brisk walks throughout the week.
· Check in with your primary care provider if you have not had a physical exam in more than a year.
· Get a hearing test to get an edge on hearing loss, a progressive condition that can enhance the effects of cognitive decline in later years.
What the Research Says
Ongoing research continues to show a correlation between hearing loss and cognitive decline. One such study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), concluded that individuals with untreated hearing loss had a 24% increase in cognitive decline.
Thankfully, hearing aids may help. A study published by the University of Melbourne reveals that 97% of study participants showed improvement in executive function, including their ability to plan, organize information and perform common everyday tasks.
Make Time for Yourself
Self-care is not selfish. When you lower your stress levels, enhance your ability to communicate with your loved ones and set aside time for activities that matter to you, everyone around you wins.
Remember that it’s never too early to be proactive about your health and seek treatment as soon as possible—even if you show no obvious symptoms of hearing loss. A healthier, happier you could be as simple as taking a hearing test today.
Call us today to schedule a hearing evaluation, or click here to schedule online.
This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should not be used as a substitute for evaluation or advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Use of this website does not establish a physician-patient relationship with Girgis ENT.