As an audiologist who has spent over two decades helping patients with their hearing health, there are certain questions that come up in my office almost daily. The connection between our ears and our brain is fascinating, complex, and increasingly supported by scientific research. Today, I want to address the three most common questions I receive about hearing loss and cognitive health.
Many of you come to HearBest concerned not just about missing conversations at dinner or turning up the TV volume, but about what your hearing difficulties might mean for your long-term brain health. These concerns are valid and important to address. The relationship between hearing and cognition is a growing area of research that deserves our attention.
In this post, I’ll tackle the questions I hear most frequently: whether hearing loss truly causes dementia, if hearing aids can help prevent memory loss, and how to recognize when hearing difficulties might be affecting your cognitive function. Let’s separate fact from fiction and explore what the latest research tells us.
~ Dr. Judy Olson, HearBest
DO NOT IGNORE HEARING LOSS & TINNITUS - They do require medical treatment. Watch this video ⬇️
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
Hi! Dr. Judy again at HearBest. When you have untreated hearing loss, your brain is working very inefficiently. That means your brain is working really hard to hear and understand, and as you go through time without treatment, the neural Pathways in the brain get messed up and it becomes more of a permanent change. When we slow that progression of cognitive decline there are areas of the brain that actually rewire themselves to function a lot more efficiently again! The area of the brain that is most impacted by untreated hearing loss is the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe is responsible for short-term memory executive function, thinking through tasks. You know when you go into the kitchen and go “Why did I… I know I came in here for something.. but I can’t remember what it is.” We provide a comprehensive treatment plan which includes hearing devices that are expertly fit using our HearBest customization methods. We are actually treating your brain. We provide the medical treatment for hearing loss and tinnitus. Untreated hearing loss is linked to early cognitive decline, dementia, even most recently has been linked to Parkinson’s disease. Hearing loss and tinnitus are a neurological disorder and they do require medical treatment. Why we are so different and quite frankly Superior, is because we are actually providing the medical treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus. We see patients from offices that sell hearing devices. What we do is we provide a comprehensive treatment plan because actually the hearing device, although important, is only part of what makes you successful and provides proper treatment for your brain health. The way that we approach each and every patient is so unique to that patient. Everybody’s needs are different. The most optimal results are going to allow you to stay connected with everything around you, your loved ones, your grandkids, your friends. At HearBest, every day we see over and over again how much lives are changed through better hearing. Better hearing is better living.
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Does hearing loss really cause dementia?
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Can hearing aids help prevent memory loss?
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How do I know if my hearing loss is affecting my brain?
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Does hearing loss really cause dementia?
This is perhaps the most common concern I hear from patients, and it’s a question that deserves a nuanced answer.
The short answer is that hearing loss doesn’t directly “cause” dementia in the way that, say, certain genetic mutations cause specific diseases. However, research has consistently shown that untreated hearing loss is strongly associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Several large-scale studies, including work from Johns Hopkins University, have found that individuals with untreated hearing loss have up to a 5 times higher risk of developing dementia compared to those with normal hearing. The risk appears to increase with the severity of hearing loss – the worse your hearing, the higher the potential cognitive risk.
But why does this connection exist? There are several leading theories:
Cognitive load: When you struggle to hear, your brain works overtime to process sound, using resources that would otherwise be available for memory and thinking. This constant strain may accelerate cognitive aging.
Brain structure changes: Hearing loss can lead to a faster rate of atrophy in certain parts of the brain, particularly in areas responsible for processing sound and speech.
Social isolation: Difficulty hearing often leads people to withdraw from conversations and social activities, and social isolation is a well-established risk factor for cognitive decline.
Common cause: Some researchers suggest that hearing loss and dementia might share underlying causes, such as vascular problems that affect both ear and brain health.
It’s important to understand that association doesn’t equal causation. Having hearing loss doesn’t mean you will definitely develop dementia. Rather, untreated hearing loss appears to be one of several modifiable risk factors that can contribute to cognitive decline over time.
What’s encouraging is that by addressing hearing loss, you may be taking a proactive step in protecting your brain health – which brings us to our next question about hearing aids and cognitive protection.
Can hearing aids help prevent memory loss?
This question follows naturally from our discussion about hearing loss and dementia risk. If hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline, can hearing aids help protect your brain?
The emerging research on this topic is encouraging. Several important studies suggest that appropriately fitted hearing aids may indeed help slow cognitive decline and potentially reduce the risk of memory problems.
A landmark study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults with hearing loss who used hearing aids showed rates of cognitive decline more similar to those without hearing loss, compared to those who left their hearing loss untreated. In other words, hearing aids appeared to help maintain cognitive function.
More recently, a major 2023 study in The Lancet examined over 2,000 older adults and found that those who addressed their hearing loss with hearing aids showed better performance on memory and attention tests after just 18 months compared to similar individuals who didn’t use hearing aids.
Here’s how hearing aids may help protect your brain:
Reducing cognitive load: When you can hear clearly, your brain doesn’t have to work as hard to understand speech, freeing up mental resources for memory and thinking.
Preserving brain structure: By delivering proper auditory stimulation, hearing aids may help maintain the neural pathways and structures involved in sound processing.
Promoting social engagement: With improved hearing, people tend to remain more socially active, which is a key factor in maintaining cognitive health.
Enriching your environment: Hearing aids restore access to a rich soundscape of environmental sounds, conversations, and music that stimulates various parts of the brain.
It’s important to emphasize that hearing aids are not a “cure” for memory problems or a guaranteed prevention method for dementia. However, they represent an important tool in maintaining brain health, especially when fitted properly and used consistently.
The research suggests that earlier intervention is better – waiting until cognitive issues have already developed may limit the potential benefits. This is why regular hearing screenings and addressing hearing loss promptly are important aspects of protecting your long-term brain health.
How do I know if my hearing loss is affecting my brain?
This is an excellent question, and one that reflects the growing awareness of how interconnected our hearing and cognitive health truly are. While there’s no simple test that can definitively show if your hearing loss is impacting your brain function, there are several important signs to watch for.
Mental fatigue after conversations: If you find yourself unusually tired after social gatherings or meetings, this could be “listening fatigue.” When you strain to hear, your brain works overtime to fill in the gaps, which can be mentally exhausting.
Changes in your social behavior: Have you started avoiding restaurants, parties, or phone calls? Do you prefer watching TV alone rather than engaging in conversation? Social withdrawal is often one of the first adaptations to hearing difficulty, and it can have downstream effects on brain health.
Trouble following conversations in noisy environments: If you find it increasingly difficult to understand speech when there’s background noise, this could indicate both hearing loss and the brain’s diminished ability to filter out competing sounds – a cognitive process called auditory processing.
Feeling that others are mumbling: When people seem to be speaking less clearly than they used to, it often reflects how your brain is processing auditory information.
Memory concerns that others have noticed: Sometimes family members notice cognitive changes before you do. If loved ones mention that you’re repeating questions or forgetting conversations, this merits attention.
Increased irritability or frustration: The constant strain of trying to hear can lead to mood changes that may seem unrelated to hearing but actually stem from communication difficulties.
Finding it harder to learn new things: If you’ve noticed that picking up new information requires more effort than it used to, this could reflect how hearing challenges affect cognitive processing.
It’s important to understand that these signs don’t necessarily mean your brain is “declining.” Often, they represent your brain working differently to compensate for hearing changes. The good news is that addressing hearing loss can often improve these symptoms.
If you recognize several of these signs, I recommend:
- Schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation
- Discuss your cognitive concerns with your primary care provider
- Consider cognitive screening if appropriate
- If hearing loss is identified, explore treatment options promptly
Remember that the brain is remarkably adaptable. Many patients report significant improvements in mental clarity, energy levels, and social engagement after being properly fitted with hearing aids. Early intervention is key – the sooner you address hearing concerns, the better the outcomes tend to be for both hearing and cognitive health.
Would you like to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation at HearBest?
Our team is here to help you maintain not just your hearing health, but your overall brain wellness too.
Dr. Judy Olson is a leading hearing health expert specializing in comprehensive medical treatment for hearing loss and tinnitus. Through HearBest’s innovative approach, she has helped countless patients not only improve their hearing but enhance their overall brain health and quality of life.
