About one million people in the UK are living with dementia; more than 12 million people are estimated to have a hearing loss, and 40% of people over 50 have a hearing loss.

Hearing is an essential part of our brain health. People with an untreated hearing loss could be up to five times more likely to develop dementia.

Untreated hearing loss was also predicted to be the highest potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia (Lancet 2020).

Hearing loss usually develops slowly. You may find it difficult to follow conversation in noisy places. You may feel that you miss certain words in conversations and following programmes on the television can be difficult.

Social isolation is another known risk factor for dementia. Hearing loss can make it harder for people to stay connected. We know that regular mental activity and social connection helps the brain’s ability to cope with degenerative diseases such as dementia.

What can you do look after your hearing?

If you’re exposed to excessive loud noises through work, make sure you protect your ears.

If you suffer from blocked ears due to ear wax, get them professionally cleaned regularly.

If you have a hearing loss, wearing hearing aids sooner and more regularly can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This is because hearing aids help you hear more clearly, therefore less brain energy is required to work out what is being said.

You will feel more confident in social situations and there will be less straining to hear. This means the brain has more energy to fight off the damaging changes that occur in our brains as we age.

• Valley Hearing Ltd, on Cardiff Road, Caerphilly, provide professional ear wax removal services, hearing assessments and provision of hearings aids. If you do have problems with your ears don’t put it off, do something about it and get them checked.

For more information and to book an appointment visit ValleyHearing.co.uk or call Jon on 07824043395.