Dementia is the condition Brits are most worried about developing - but three in four have no idea of a key contributing cause. Almost one million people are living with dementia in the UK, the most common form of which is Alzheimer’s. A recent study claimed that tackling hearing loss can reduce the risk of dementia.
The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention and intervention said there was hope that almost half of dementia cases could be prevented by tackling hearing loss as well as 13 other lifestyle factors. But research of 3,000 adults found 55 per cent have shown at least one sign their hearing is beginning to wane. A quarter struggle to hear speech clearly in a noisy environment, like the pub, and 18 per cent frequently ask people to repeat themselves.
Read more on dementia Some 17 per cent constantly have ringing in their ears and 13 per cent resort to always having the subtitles on when they watch TV. Despite this, 61 per cent have no intention of getting their hearing checked in the next 12 months. As a result of the findings, TV's Dr Hilary Jones has teamed up with the Alzheimer's Society and Hidden Hearing , which commissioned the research, to raise awareness about the link between hearing loss and dementia.
The Good Morning Britain GP has urged Brits as young as 30 to do more to look after their hearing when they notice it changing. Most read in Health He said: "Dementia is the health condition many of us are most concerned about as we get older, yet awareness.