Hearing loss and dementia

A six-year study in Australia found that hearing loss in older adults is linked to a higher risk of dementia. In Australia, about 74% of people over 70 have hearing loss, and severe hearing loss makes people five times more likely to develop dementia. Addressing hearing loss earlier in life could prevent about 9% of new dementia cases. Research from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) and Macquarie University confirmed that older adults with hearing difficulties have lower cognitive abilities, especially in attention and spatial skills. They also face a 1.5 times greater risk of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Hearing aids may help reduce this risk, and more studies are needed to explore their benefits in preventing cognitive decline in older adults.