If you are looking for information about hearing loss and dementia risk, you have come to the right place. At Simply Hearing, we provide comprehensive audiology services and professional hearing care.
A growing body of research suggests there is a strong association between untreated hearing loss and an increased risk of dementia. While hearing loss does not cause dementia directly, studies show it is one of the most significant modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline.
For Australians, this is an important health topic—especially as hearing loss becomes more common with age.
What Does the Research Say?
One of the most well-known studies comes from the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care (2017, updated 2020 and 2024). It identified hearing loss in midlife as the largest modifiable risk factor for dementia, accounting for up to 8% of dementia risk in population-level estimates.
Key findings include: People with untreated hearing loss are more likely to experience cognitive decline; the risk increases with the severity of hearing loss; and early treatment of hearing loss may help reduce long-term cognitive load.
A large study from Johns Hopkins University also found that mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk, moderate hearing loss tripled the risk, and severe hearing loss increased risk by up to five times.
Why Might Hearing Loss Affect Brain Health?
Researchers believe there are several possible explanations:
- Increased Cognitive Load: When hearing becomes difficult, the brain must work harder to interpret sound. This “extra effort” may reduce cognitive resources available for memory and thinking.
- Social Isolation: Hearing loss can make conversations tiring or frustrating, leading some people to withdraw socially. Reduced social interaction is a known risk factor for cognitive decline.
- Brain Stimulation Changes: When the brain receives less auditory input, areas responsible for processing sound may become less active over time.
Can Hearing Aids Help Reduce the Risk?
While research is still ongoing, early evidence is promising. The ACHIEVE trial (2023, Lancet) found that treating hearing loss in older adults helped slow cognitive decline in high-risk groups over a three-year period. Although hearing aids are not a treatment for dementia, they may improve communication, reduce listening fatigue, and support brain stimulation.
The Bottom Line
There is strong and growing scientific evidence linking untreated hearing loss with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Addressing it early is considered an important part of maintaining long-term brain health.
