Does Hearing Loss Increase Dementia Risk?
Many people think hearing loss is just a normal part of getting older. But research shows it can raise the chances of developing dementia. Studies find that people with hearing loss face a higher risk of dementia than those with normal hearing.
One large study looked at lifetime risks starting at age 60. It found that the lifetime risk of dementia is about 1.5 times higher for people with hearing loss at that age. This means a 12 percentage point jump in risk for both men and women. People with hearing loss at 60 also live about one extra year with dementia compared to those without it.
The risk grows with how bad the hearing loss is. Mild hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia. Moderate loss triples it. Severe loss makes the risk five times higher. These numbers come from a long-term study of over 600 adults followed for nearly 12 years.
Experts from the Lancet Commission on Dementia say hearing loss boosts dementia risk by 32 percent. They estimate it plays a role in 7 percent of dementia cases worldwide. Other reviews put the increase between 30 and 50 percent.
Why does this happen? There are a few ideas. One is that hearing loss makes the brain work harder to understand sounds. This extra effort, called cognitive load, tires out brain areas needed to fight dementia. Another reason is sensory deprivation. Without clear sounds, the brain may shrink faster, leading to smaller brain volumes seen on scans. Social isolation also matters. Hard-of-hearing people often pull away from talks and events, which can lead to loneliness and faster mental decline.
Women and those with more education may face longer years dealing with both hearing loss and dementia. This is due to living longer and more time exposed to age-related issues.
The good news is hearing loss is treatable. Using hearing aids might slow cognitive decline. One study suggests they could cut dementia cases by up to 7 percent. Early checks and aids could lower the overall burden.
Sources
https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/54/12/afaf361/8384311
https://www.audiologymaine.com/hidden-risks-of-untreated-hearing-loss
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12697576/
https://www.visitingangels.com/tallahassee/articles/hearing-loss-and-dementia-in-seniors/24086
https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/study-finds-midlife-hearing-loss-significantly-raises-dementia-risk-but-this-tool-can-help
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12726679/
https://hearbest.com/hearing-and-brain-health/
