When someone says, “I can’t hear well,” it is often brushed off as a natural part of aging. However, Sang-deok Lee, Director of Hana ENT Hospital, warns that hearing loss is an "emergency that threatens brain health." It is not merely about missing sounds; it can be a primary trigger for dementia, a condition that fundamentally erodes one’s quality of life.
In an interview with Komedi.com, Director Lee explained the physiological strain of auditory decline. “Once hearing loss begins, the brain expends an enormous amount of energy trying to piece together fragmented sounds," he noted. "It uses energy that should be devoted to memory, thinking, and judgment just to hear. When this exhaustion repeats, cognitive function inevitably declines.”
The Direct Link Between Sound and Cognition
The connection between hearing loss and dementia is well-documented. Research by Professor Frank R. Lin at Johns Hopkins University shows that mild hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia, while moderate loss triples it. For those with severe hearing loss, the risk increases fivefold.
“If sound stimulation does not reach the brain, the auditory regions begin to shrink,” Director Lee added. “Because these areas are closely connected to memory and emotion, their decline creates a vicious cycle of social isolation, depression, and overall cognitive failure.”
Despite these risks, many patients hesitate to use hearing aids, fearing they will "look old." Director Lee advises viewing them as "natural assistive tools," no different from wearing glasses for nearsightedness.
“Medically, we recommend hearing aids starting at a loss of 40 dB or more. However, the 'social inconvenience' you feel is a more important metric," Lee said. "If you are repeatedly asking people to repeat themselves or if conversations feel like mumbling, you have already reached the point where you need assistance.”
Beyond Hearing: Sleep Apnea and Vertigo
Hearing loss isn't the only everyday condition linked to dementia; sleep apnea also plays a significant role. During deep sleep, the brain clears out waste products like amyloid beta, a substance linked to Alzheimer's. Sleep apnea interrupts this cleansing process by repeatedly waking the sleeper.
“Sleep apnea is a state of nightly suffocation,” Lee warned. “When oxygen levels drop, the heart overworks to compensate, raising the risk of hypertension or stroke three- to fourfold.” Hana ENT Hospital conducts over 700 polysomnography (sleep study) tests annually to diagnose and prescribe treatments for these conditions.
Director Lee also addressed Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), often called "osteoporosis of the ear." BPPV occurs when calcium crystals (otoconia) in the inner ear become dislodged due to aging, fatigue, or vitamin D deficiency. While repositioning procedures can improve symptoms in 90% of patients immediately, lifestyle management—such as taking vitamin D and keeping the head elevated during sleep—is essential to prevent the 30–50% recurrence rate.
Managing Seasonal Allergies
As spring arrives, Director Lee urged patients not to ignore allergic rhinitis. While surgery can improve the structure of nasal passages to reduce congestion, it is not a "cure" for the underlying allergy.
“Treatment is a step-by-step process,” Lee explained. “The basics include intranasal steroid sprays and antihistamines. Immunotherapy, though it takes three to five years, is a more fundamental approach to changing one’s constitution. Additionally, saline nasal irrigation remains the best daily management method with virtually no side effects.”
