The Link between Untreated Hearing Loss and Dementia

Over the past decade, multiple studies have established a compelling association between untreated hearing loss and an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. A landmark study by Dr. Frank Lin at Johns Hopkins University found that older adults with moderate to severe hearing loss were significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those with normal hearing. The ACHIEVE study by Dr. Lin, found that treating hearing loss with hearing aids, in older adults, who had more risk factors for cognitive decline slowed down loss of thinking and memory abilities by 48% over 3 years. The risk increased with the severity of the hearing loss and the duration of hearing loss that goes untreated: those with severe hearing impairment had up to five times the risk of developing dementia compared to those without hearing loss.

With hearing impairment the brain has to work harder to understand the degraded auditory signal and has to use other areas of the brain in helping hear.  This can result in cognitive fatigue and decline over time. Hearing loss can cause difficulties in communication, thus resulting in social isolation and loneliness. These are documented risk factors for cognitive decline. The hearing loss, social isolation and therefore lack of stimulation to the brain can lead to faster atrophy of the brain. This physical degeneration could contribute to dementia.

Encouragingly, emerging evidence suggests that treating hearing loss may mitigate the associated risk of dementia. The use of hearing aids and other assistive listening devices has been associated with better cognitive outcomes in some studies. A 2023 Lancet Commission report identified hearing loss as one of the top modifiable risk factors for dementia, underscoring the potential for early intervention to make a significant difference.

Hearing aids amplify sounds, while filtering out the background noise thus improving clarity of speech. Today’s hearing aids can be customized to your hearing loss and listening environments, and thus help reduce the listening effort and fatigue. While hearing aids don’t reverse hearing loss, regular use can help keep the brain engaged with sound, potentially reducing the risk of cognitive decline linked to untreated hearing loss