Hearing Loss and Dementia Risk: What You Should Know

Hearing loss can make it harder to follow conversations, enjoy time with family and friends, or simply feel connected to what’s happening around you.

But could changes in your hearing also be connected to changes in your brain health?

It’s a question researchers have been looking at closely for a while. A growing body of research has found an association between hearing loss and cognitive decline, including dementia. That can sound concerning, especially for older adults and families here in Hastings and throughout the Twin Cities.

But having hearing loss does not mean you will develop dementia and researchers are still working to fully understand the relationship between the two.

At Journey Audiology and Hearing Care, we believe understanding your hearing health is an important part of staying engaged in the people, conversations, and everyday moments that matter.

So, let’s take a closer look at what the research actually tells us about hearing loss, dementia, and the potential role of treating hearing loss as we age.

Is Hearing Loss Linked to Dementia?

Over the last 10 years, multiple studies have found an association between hearing loss and increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Even with the progress and evidence gathered so far,  researchers are still working to understand exactly why the two are connected.

What the research shows so far:

1. Hearing loss has been associated with a 2x-5x higher risk of dementia. A landmark Johns Hopkins-led study found that when compared with people with normal hearing, the risk of developing dementia was about 2x higher with mild hearing loss, 3x higher with moderate hearing loss, and nearly 5x higher with severe hearing loss.
2. Hearing loss may make the brain work harder to understand speech. The National Institute on Aging (NIA)describes “cognitive load” or “effortful listening” as one possible explanation for the hearing-cognition connection. When hearing is impaired, the brain may have to devote additional resources to processing sound that would otherwise be available for memory and thinking.
3. Social isolation and loneliness may be other pieces of the puzzle. Hearing difficulties can make conversations frustrating and may cause some older adults to withdraw from social situations. The  National Institute on Aging also notes that hearing problems can increase the risk of social isolation and loneliness, and loneliness itself has been associated with dementia risk. A large analysis involving more than 600,000 participants across 21 longitudinal studies found that loneliness was associated with a 31% increased risk of dementia.
4. Hearing aids may offer hope.  The ACHIEVE study (led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and funded by the NIA), on the other hand, found that for individuals with heart disease, who were at a higher risk for cognitive decline, hearing intervention was associated with an approximately 48% slower rate of cognitive decline over three years. In other words, ACHIEVE’s findings suggest that addressing hearing loss may be particularly beneficial for older adults who are already at increased risk for cognitive decline.

How Can Hearing Loss Affect Cognitive Health?

As the research indicates, hearing loss can have a profound impact on your cognitive health.

Your Brain Has to Work Harder to Hear

When speech is difficult to understand, the brain may have to devote more resources to processing sound.

If you’ve noticed that you feel more tired after being on a phone call or in a group of people at a social outing, that’s the increased “listening effort”. It’s not a proven cause of dementia but when you have hearing loss, your brain is constantly working harder.

Hearing Loss Can Make It Harder to Stay Socially Connected

Conversations, restaurants, family gatherings, and group activities can become frustrating when hearing is difficult. Because of this, many people end up withdrawing from activities and social interactions.

And that loneliness may be connected to an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline, as the data above suggests.

Do Hearing Aids Prevent Dementia?

The short answer is that we don’t know 100% for sure.  Research has not established that hearing aids prevent dementia, but the data from the ACHIEVE study is promising.

We also know from other research that hearing aids can help with people feeling more confident in social situations, reducing listening effort and fatigue, and improving overall quality of life.

• Position hearing treatment as one practical step people can take to address hearing and communication difficulties while researchers continue studying its potential cognitive-health benefits.
• Avoid promises like “hearing aids lower your dementia risk” unless carefully qualified.

Why Treat Hearing Loss Even If You’re Not Worried About Dementia?

Treating hearing loss goes beyond reducing your risk of cognitive decline. There are immediate benefits to getting hearing aids and improving your hearing.

Better hearing can help you:

• Communicate more easily with family and friends
• Participate more comfortably in conversations and social activities
• Reduce the effort and frustration associated with trying to hear
• Stay engaged in activities they enjoy
• Hear important information more clearly
• Find joy in the little things again, including sounds outside and music

Hearing health is a key element to include in your overall health and wellness plan every year, and especially as you get older. 

Sources:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37478886
• https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/hearing-aids-slow-cognitive-decline-people-high-risk
• https://www.achievestudy.org/key-findings
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21320988
• https://pure.johnshopkins.edu/en/publications/hearing-loss-and-incident-dementia-4
• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/2835836
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12232266
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34747674
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17402301