{"id":244924,"date":"2025-11-05T08:03:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T08:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/244924\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T08:03:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T08:03:16","slug":"dementia-warning-as-neurologist-says-dont-do-this-at-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/244924\/","title":{"rendered":"Dementia warning as neurologist says don’t do this at night"},"content":{"rendered":"

An expert warned that a common sleep habit could raise your risk for dementia\"WomanA neurologist warned against a popular night time habit that could raise your risk of dementia(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

A neurologist has issued a warning over a common sleep habit that could be raising your risk of dementia. According to the expert, this is something he never does.<\/p>\n

Dementia is a syndrome, or a group of associated symptoms<\/a>, linked to the ongoing decline of the brain. Most common in people over the age of 65, it can result in issues such as memory loss and behavioural and personality changes.<\/p>\n

Although it is more common the older we get, age is far from the only risk factor. Research<\/a> has shown that around 45 per cent of dementia cases are preventable with lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n

Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/p>\n

This includes looking after your hearing. In a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok neurologist Dr Baibing Chen<\/a> said he never sleeps with headphones in for this reason.<\/p>\n

Dr Chen, who is better known as Dr Bing, warned this could result in hearing loss, which has been linked in studies to dementia. He said: \u201cHere are three things I do not do as a neurologist.<\/p>\n

\u201cNumber one is I do not wear headphones to bed. If you are one of those people that wear headphones to bed just make sure that the sounds that you’re playing are quiet and not loud because loud sounds can damage the hair cells in your inner ear and over time can raise your risk of hearing loss and dementia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ManDr Bing stated that hearing loss is \u201cone of the most overlooked risk factors\u201d for dementia(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cAlso wearing earbuds and headphones for hours can trap moisture and bacteria which then increase the risk of developing ear infection. And if you’re listening to loud sounds during sleep it might interrupt your deep sleep and disrupt your lymphatic system, which is your brain’s nightly cleaning cycle that cleans out toxins.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a previous TikTok video<\/a>, Dr Bing stated that hearing loss is \u201cone of the most overlooked risk factors\u201d for dementia. He explained: \u201cEven mild hearing loss can significantly increase your risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Getting your hearing regularly checked is therefore important. He continued: \u201cIf you’re having trouble hearing, don’t wait get it checked out and consider hearing aids if needed. It’s about more than just hearing, it’s about keeping your brain engaged and active.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"WomanWearing headphones to bed could also disrupt your sleep(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

His advice is backed by a 2024 study<\/a> from The Lancet which listed hearing loss as a major risk factor for dementia. Symptoms of dementia can include:<\/p>\n

Memory loss.Difficulty concentratingFinding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasksStruggling to follow a conversation or find the right wordBeing confused about time and placeMood changes<\/p>\n

If you think you or a loved one is displaying symptoms of dementia or hearing loss you should seek professional advice as soon as possible.<\/p>\n