Use Your Eyes, Ears to Keep Your Mind Sharp

As women age, we often worry about the possibility of cognitive decline, and with good reason. Conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can drastically impact quality of life. Fortunately, there are ways to protect and enhance cognitive function, such as maintaining vision and hearing. Your brain relies heavily on information from your eyes and ears. When vision or hearing deteriorates, the brain has to work harder to process incomplete information, which can lead to cognitive overload and even shrinkage in areas associated with memory and attention. Early signs of cognitive strain from vision and hearing issues include increased difficulty concentrating, mental fatigue, and trouble remembering recent conversations, or visual details.

Scheduling regular checkups for both vision and hearing is essential. These evaluations aren’t just about correcting a blurry line on a chart or adjusting volume; they’re about preserving brain health. Follow your doctor’s recommendations—whether that means wearing eyeglasses, undergoing cataract surgery, being treated for age-related macular degeneration, or acquiring—and using—a hearing aid. Many people resist hearing aids, but leaving hearing issues untreated can accelerate the path toward memory issues or confusion. Untreated hearing loss strains cognitive resources as the brain works harder to interpret sounds, which can accelerate memory loss, reduce mental sharpness, and increase the risk of dementia over time. Vision loss, likewise, has been linked to a greater risk of dementia due to similar mental strain.

Addressing vision and hearing can keep your mind sharp. Untreated hearing loss, in particular, leads to social isolation, which is a major contributing factor to cognitive decline. Participating in regular physical activity, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities also help keep your brain limber. These simple proactive steps can have lasting benefits, allowing you to enjoy your life fully and independently for years to come.

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