2. Hearing aids
The eyes aren’t the only window to the brain—our ears, too, are thought to influence cognitive health. Many studies have found a link between hearing loss and an increased risk of dementia. And some have found that hearing aids may help to mitigate that risk.
With both the eyes and ears, it’s possible that preventing the brain from losing sensory input can help stave off the degradation that leads to dementia. But there may be more indirect benefits involved, too. A 2019 study, for instance, found that people who received hearing aids soon after their diagnosis were not only less likely to be diagnosed with dementia but also less likely to suffer depression and falling injuries—both of which could contribute to dementia risk themselves.
