Reader TTS

DR AMIR KHAN, WHO IS A REGULAR ON ITV'S LORRAINE AND AN NHS DOCTOR, HAS SHARED HOW A SIMPLE CHECK COULD HELP TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING DEMENTIA. 09:31, 30 May 2025 Mental

fatigue, some ailments, stress, and medication can periodically affect our ability to remember. If you're over 65 and are concerned about escalating forgetfulness, it might be wise to

visit your doctor and explore the probability of dementia. Research reveals that over 944,000 UK residents suffer from dementia. This condition affects one out of every 11 individuals aged

65 and above, and this number is increasing due to the UK's ageing population. Dementia involves a progressive decline in mental capabilities, manifesting as memory loss, loss of mental

acuity and processing speed, and struggles with language, comprehension, and decision-making. The causes of dementia can be numerous, such as unusual protein clumps in the brain. On the

other hand, NHS physician Amir Khan, an ITV's Lorraine favourite, mentioned one preventative step against developing dementia: undergoing a hearing test. Dr Khan, on a recent visit to

the show which has now gone viral on TikTok, encouraged viewers to undertake the critical check potentially lowering their risk levels. Although no one can modify aspects like genetics or

age, Dr Khan firmly believes that there are some measures to consider taking which can cut down vulnerabilities, reports the Express. Article continues below According to the telly doctor,

individuals should begin by ensuring their hearing is checked. Dr Khan, who works for the NHS, said: "The first thing I would say is get your hearing checked. Don't wait until

you've really lost your hearing. "Mid-life hearing loss, that's aged between 45 and 65, has been associated with a higher risk of dementia. So when your hearing goes down,

your brain has to work harder to process speech and noises, and that diverts energy away from other things like memory and thinking." Dr Khan noted that people who battle hearing

difficulties tend to "retreat from conversations", which can lead to isolation and melancholy - both of these factors are documented contributors to the development of dementia. He

warned: "And actually scans show people with untreated hearing loss have higher levels of brain shrinkage in areas associated with memory and processing as well. So this is a bit of a

call to arms. If you're 45 plus, you should really have your hearing checked." According to The Alzheimer's Society, those who experience auditory problems in mid-life (40-65

years) are confronting an escalated risk of developing dementia, which often serves as an early warning sign of the disease. Their guidance includes: "To reduce the risk of dementia,

it's important to get your hearing tested. There is some evidence that using hearing aids may reduce risk of some aspects of cognitive decline." Moreover, they caution us by

saying: "Remember that hearing loss is only a risk factor and does not mean that a person with hearing loss will develop dementia." Investigations have further disclosed that

individuals who wear hearing aids for their auditory impairments are less likely to encounter dementia-related symptoms. You may have the opportunity to organise a free hearing test at your

local optician, or you could discuss a referral to an audiologist with your GP. Should you experience any symptoms of dementia, it's always recommended to consult with your GP. Article

continues below JOIN THE DAILY RECORD WHATSAPP COMMUNITY! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on

breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is CLICK

HERE IF YOU'RE ON MOBILE, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join

Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you

like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.