Hearing Loss and Dementia
Untreated Hearing Loss May Be Doing More Than You Realise
Research suggests a meaningful connection between untreated hearing loss and the risk of cognitive decline. Here’s what the evidence says, what it doesn’t, and what’s worth doing about it.
What the Research Says About Hearing Loss and Dementia
Over the past two decades, a growing body of research has examined the relationship between hearing loss and dementia.
The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention identifies untreated hearing loss as one of the most significant modifiable risk factors for dementia.
The World Health Organization has flagged it similarly, and researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that people with untreated hearing loss showed measurably faster rates of cognitive decline compared to those with normal hearing.
Researchers point to three contributing factors.
Cognitive load
When hearing is impaired, the brain works harder to process sound, potentially diverting resources away from memory and executive thinking.
Reduced auditory stimulation
The auditory cortex relies on regular input to stay active, and reduced stimulation over time may contribute to changes in areas of the brain involved in cognition.
Social isolation
Hearing loss often leads to withdrawal from conversations and social situations, which is itself an established risk factor for cognitive decline.
The evidence doesn’t establish that hearing loss causes dementia. What it consistently suggests is that untreated hearing loss is associated with a meaningfully higher risk.
Will Treating My Hearing Loss Prevent Dementia?
This deserves an honest answer: we don’t know yet, and anyone who tells you otherwise is overstating what the evidence shows.
What research does suggest is that treating hearing loss may reduce some of the contributing factors.
The ACHIEVE trial, published in The Lancet in 2023, found that hearing intervention in older adults at higher risk showed promising results in slowing cognitive change, though researchers remained cautious about firm conclusions.
What can be said with reasonable confidence is this: managing hearing loss reduces cognitive load, supports social engagement, and keeps the auditory brain active. These contribute to overall brain health, regardless of their specific relationship to dementia.
Treating your hearing loss won’t guarantee protection against cognitive decline. Leaving it untreated, based on current research, does appear to carry a higher risk.
Here’s What You Can Do
The consistent thread in dementia research is that modifiable risk factors respond better to early intervention than late. A person who addresses hearing loss in their 60s is in a meaningfully better position than one who waits until their 70s. Not just for cognitive health, but for relationships, communication, and overall wellbeing.
Get your hearing assessed
If you haven’t had a hearing test, you have no baseline. Identifying hearing loss early gives you more options and more time to act.
Address hearing loss rather than adapt to it
Nodding along, avoiding social situations, and turning up the volume don’t reduce the cognitive burden. They often increase it.
Consider hearing aids if recommended
They reduce the effort your brain expends decoding sound and help keep you engaged in the conversations and environments that matter for cognitive health.
Stay socially connected
Managing your hearing loss is partly about staying present in the relationships and conversations that keep your mind active.
What Life Sounds Like After Shire Hearing
“My introduction to Shire Hearing was with my mother who lives in Cronulla, I live in Wollongong. Rachel was very caring with my mother who will be 99 on Anzac Day 2020.
My experience with hearing aids started when I mentioned my tinnitus, during the conversation I realised Rachel was very knowledgeable and she told me when I started to lose my hearing, wearing hearing aids would help. They did!”
We had a lovely experience from booking to assessment. The clinic is accessible and they had loads of availability at the Engadine location. The assessor was gentle and relaxed and created a calm and fun environment for our child. 5 stars 🌟
Honestly the most amazing place to get your hearing tests done ✅. I’ve never felt more welcomed & safe before & highly highly recommend the lovely Krystal @ Engadine Clinic. Such great service and knowledge , I couldn’t recommend enough. Please choose Shire hearing Engadine for your next appointment ❤️.
What a great and calm experience! Krystal connected straight away with my toddler son, She took the time to play and engage with my son other than just for testing.
Usually my son is hard to get to cooperate with visual assessments of his ears, but he was happy and comfortable with Krystal.
Would highly recommend Shire Hearing Engadine!
Krystal at Shire Hearing was fantastic with our two neurodiverse boys. She had them cooperating, engaged and interested. And she picked up a previously unknown issue so we can look into it further. Fantastic experience and service!
They are amazing. Any issue with hearing aids they fix for free. Even if it’s just changing the filters. When I was choosing my new hearing aids they lent programmable ones to try and compare. I got the top ones in the end. The programs on the App are also designed just for me which helps adjusting in noisy environments.
Start With a Hearing Assessment
Understanding your hearing is the first step. At Shire Hearing, a full hearing assessment identifies your type and degree of hearing loss and gives you
a clear picture of your options. Free for seniors and pensione