Page 48 • The HERALD • 11th December 2025 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v Health, Beauty & Wellbeing The Podium 023 8086 9080 3 Marchwood Village Centre, Marchwood One answer to foot problems Professional, safe ear wax removal service delivered in the comfort of your own home. We use microsuction, water irrigation and manual ear wax removal to suit the different needs of our clients. To book your appointment please call Gosia on 07591 036071 or email: info@watersideearcare.com THE LINK BETWEEN HEARING LOSS AND COGNITIVE DECLINE Advice from Hythe Specsavers Hearing loss is o en brushed o as a minor inconvenience-something to put up with as we get other tasks. ey also help people stay connectedsocially, emotionally, and mentally. At Specsavers Hearcare, we treat hearing as a vital part of overall health. We o er free hearing tests and provide access to a full range of hearing aidsincluding NHS-funded options. Our clinics are sta ed by quali ed audiologists and equipped with advanced diagnostic tools to ensure you get the care you need. If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing or you’re over 50, book a test today. It’s a simple step that could protect your hearing and your mind. Dr Nel Govender, Hearcare Director at Specsavers Southampton City Centre & Hythe has over 25 years of global audiology experience in both private and public settings. Dr Nel specialises in hearing loss related to cognitive health and ageing. Her personalised, compassionate care ensures that every patient receives expert support tailored to their needs. older. But mounting research shows that it can have serious consequences for brain health. One of the most important discoveries in recent years is the strong link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline. A major UK-based study by the University of Manchester, using data from over 250,000 participants in the UK Biobank, found that people with hearing loss who don’t wear hearing aids are signi cantly more likely to develop dementia. In contrast, those who do wear hearing aids show no increased risk-suggesting that early intervention can make a real di erence. But why is hearing loss connected to cognitive health? One explanation is that hearing loss causes the brain to work much harder to understand sounds. is constant e ort takes up mental energy that would otherwise be used for memory and thinking-leading to what researchers call “cognitive overload”. Over time, this strain can accelerate cognitive decline. Another factor is social isolation. When hearing becomes di cult, people o en withdraw from conversations and activities they once enjoyed. is lack of social engagement has long been linked to faster mental decline and conditions such as depression, which can further impact cognitive function. e encouraging news is that hearing aids can help slow this process. By improving hearing clarity, they reduce the mental e ort needed to process sound, allowing the brain to focus on Dr Nel Govender, Hearcare Director at Specsavers Southampton City Centre & Hythe HO, HO, HO, or OH, OH, OH! by Alan Jones, Registered Hypnotherapist More expense, stress and domestic upheaval create a sure recipe for anxiety and arguments. Yes, it’s Christmas time again! And if you survive all the retail competition to grab your money, cope with the annual invasion of in-laws and relatives, stop the kids ghting and notice that your waistline just expanded from festive feasting despite working three times as hard, then imagine how January feels when the party mood goes as at as yesterday’s bubbly and it’s back to work. Don’t let the festive period get you down this year. Be kind to yourself and let hypnotherapy start you on your journey to a calmer, happier, more peaceful season of genuine goodwill and make 2026 the year you really achieve the lifestyle changes that you have been promising yourself. Contact Alan on: 07786 376980 or email: alan@alanjoneshypnotherapy. com for a local appointment because you have earned it!
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