{"id":677001,"date":"2026-09-07T15:12:26","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T15:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/677001\/"},"modified":"2026-09-07T15:12:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T15:12:26","slug":"does-hearing-loss-cause-dementia-heres-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/677001\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Hearing Loss Cause Dementia? Here\u2019s What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated8 min read<\/p>\n

You\u2019re on top of your blood pressure and cholesterol, you\u2019re up to date with all vaccines and cancer screenings, and your vision is 20\/20 thanks to a new glasses prescription. You think you\u2019re all set, but it turns out there\u2019s one more simple test that could have a huge impact on your overall health and yet most people skip it: a hearing test.<\/p>\n

Hearing loss (HL) is more common than most people think, with an estimated 38 million adults<\/strong><\/a> in the U.S. affected.<\/strong> What\u2019s compelling is that research over the past two decades has discovered that if you have hearing loss, you may have a <\/strong>greater chance of developing dementia<\/strong><\/a> as well as other health issues. <\/strong><\/p>\n

On the other hand, there\u2019s also emerging research that we may be able to reduce risk of cognitive decline by treating hearing loss. \u201cStudies have suggested that hearing loss is the greatest modifiable risk factor in middle age for dementia<\/strong>,\u201d says Sarah A. Sydlowski, Au.D., Ph.D., audiology director of the Hearing Implant Program at Cleveland Clinic<\/a> and past president of the American Academy of Audiology<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, hearing health is seldom discussed at primary care visits. One survey found that while 80% of health care providers regularly screen blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels, <\/strong>only 46% recommend screening for HL<\/strong><\/a>. Even more telling is that only 40% of providers asked believe hearing loss is treatable, <\/strong>which may contribute to the lack of discussion, says Sydlowski.<\/p>\n

To get to the bottom of this, we reached out to experts. Ahead, here\u2019s what you should know about hearing loss, the link to dementia, and what you can do to protect yourself.<\/p>\n

Does hearing loss cause dementia?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The answer is not definitive. \u201cThere is a complex relationship between hearing loss and dementia. The risks are correlated and coexist, but it\u2019s hard to say one causes the other,\u201d says Elina Kari, M.D., neurotologist, associate professor and director of the Cochlear Implant Program at the University of California, San Diego<\/a>. \u201cHowever, we do know that many factors, including social isolation and sensory deprivation, which can be the results of HL, can contribute to dementia.<\/strong> If you can’t hear well, you may isolate more, so the brain is less engaged and active.\u201d<\/p>\n

Besides the social connection piece, your brain also has to work harder with hearing loss because the clarity of the message is affected.<\/strong> \u201cPeople with hearing loss often say it sounds like the other person is mumbling, so the brain has to work harder to decode the message,\u201d says Jennifer Deal, Ph.D., associate professor of epidemiology and interim director of the Johns Hopkins Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health<\/a>. \u201cHearing also might impact brain structure and function because we\u2019ve seen that people with hearing loss have faster atrophy, or shrinking of the brain,<\/strong> especially in total brain and central processing. So, multitasking skills and memory may be affected.\u201d<\/p>\n

None of this sounds great, but it\u2019s crucial to remember HL is treatable. \u201cWhat\u2019s key is that if you identify hearing loss early and manage it, it may have a positive impact on your future path and later-life cognitive <\/strong>impairment,\u201d says Sydlowski.<\/p>\n

The greater health impact of hearing loss<\/p>\n

Alas, dementia isn\u2019t the only health condition that\u2019s linked to HL. \u201cHearing loss is a significant risk for depression<\/a>,\u201d says Dr. Kari. \u201cIt\u2019s also a safety issue. For example, you may worry about walking alone in a parking lot because you can\u2019t hear your surroundings.\u201d<\/p>\n

HL has also been found to be associated with a greater risk of falls<\/a> and increased hospitalization rates. In addition, hearing loss is prevalent in people with underlying conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, likely due to the tiny blood vessels in the ear through which circulation can be interrupted, says Sydlowski.<\/p>\n

Is hearing loss inevitable?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many factors contribute to hearing loss, including noise from a job, concerts, or fireworks, as well as medications and genetics. \u201cIf you use your ears long enough, you\u2019ll likely have hearing loss,\u201d<\/strong> says Sydlowski. \u201cFor many, hearing loss starts in middle age and gradually worsens over each decade. By the time you\u2019re in your 80s, about 80% of people have hearing loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

But while hearing loss is common, it\u2019s <\/strong>not<\/strong> normal.<\/strong> \u201cWe used to think hypertension was just part of aging, but now we know when we treat it, there\u2019s a better outcome,\u201d says Dr. Kari. \u201cNow we also have this awareness that early intervention with hearing loss may have a positive impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

It’s also important to know that you can protect your hearing, no matter what your age. \u201cWe should not view hearing as outside our control,\u201d says Deal. \u201cAge is a risk factor for hearing loss, but we can be proactive and do things such as wearing hearing protection in noisy environments, like when we\u2019re doing yard work or attending concerts.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why do people avoid hearing aids?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You\u2019d get glasses if you had impaired vision. Why does it feel different for hearing loss? \u201cMost people wait years\u2014sometimes more than a decade\u2014between noticing changes in their hearing and actually doing something about it,\u201d says Tammy Lynn Munroe, Au.D., CCC-A, audiologist with Audiologic Solutions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor many people, wearing a hearing aid can feel like publicly admitting something they’re not ready to accept: that they’re aging or that something about them has changed<\/strong>,\u201d Munroe says. \u201cThat\u2019s often reinforced by the outdated stigma that hearing aids signal frailty or diminished capacity, rather than a tool that\u2019s no different from glasses.\u201d<\/p>\n

For others, the changes are so gradual that they simply adjust.<\/strong> \u201cBecause nothing about it feels sudden, there’s no clear moment that tells you it’s time to act,\u201d explains Munroe. \u201cHere, the barrier isn’t denial. It’s simply not recognizing what they’ve been missing until they experience better hearing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do over-the-counter hearing aids work well?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For some people, OTC hearing aids are worth trying.<\/strong> \u201cOTC hearing aids can be a good, more affordable entry point for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, and they’ve lowered the barrier for people who might otherwise never take the first step,\u201d says Munroe. \u201cBut more severe hearing loss still requires a prescription device.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

This can be an issue because you can\u2019t identify the degree of hearing loss you actually have on your own. \u201cOTC options are helpful for some people,\u201d says Sydlowski. \u201cBut I\u2019ve had OTC wearers with hearing loss that\u2019s completely inappropriate for their OTC aids. These aren\u2019t like \u2018cheaters\u2019 you buy at the store for reading. There are different levels of technology, and factors such as the programming, shape and size of your ear canal and the angle of the insertion can affect the quality of the sound.\u201d<\/p>\n

One thing to remember is that because there\u2019s little (or no) support when you purchase OTC devices, you may become frustrated if they don\u2019t meet your expectations.<\/strong> \u201cYou may need to bump up the level of expertise by seeing an audiologist (AuD), who can fit you properly with a device that\u2019s suitable for your type of hearing loss,\u201d says Dr. Kari. Remember that there are many new devices on the market\u2014many of which are unobtrusive and nearly invisible, if that\u2019s important to you.<\/p>\n

One more important note is that there hasn\u2019t been a study evaluating OTC hearing devices for cognitive health. \u201cThe major trials behind the hearing-and-cognition research, including the ACHIEVE trial<\/a>, tested professionally-fitted, audiologist-supported hearing care, not self-fitted OTC devices,\u201d says Munroe. \u201cSo while treating hearing loss appears to support brain health, the strongest evidence so far relates to comprehensive, professionally managed care, not the OTC experience specifically.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"hearing<\/p>\n

mladenbalinovac\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

What to do about hearing loss <\/strong><\/p>\n

While it can be daunting, here\u2019s how to begin your hearing health journey:<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t ignore subtle signs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re constantly asking people to repeat themselves or family members notice you often don\u2019t hear them, it\u2019s time to get evaluated, says Dean.<\/p>\n

Get a baseline at age 50.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve never had your hearing tested or hearing health evaluated for underlying medical issues, experts recommend adding this to your list of regular screenings, says Sydlowski.<\/p>\n

Find a hearing health provider with whom you feel comfortable.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re going to make an investment in a device, this is a relationship. This person should be working with you to give you the best possible experience,\u201d says Dr. Kari. \u201cIf you don\u2019t like your interactions with the first provider, find another one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Understand which hearing health professionals do what. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Many people assume an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor will fit you for hearing aids, but that is not generally the case, says Dr. Kari. You\u2019ll often be referred to another professional, such as:<\/p>\n