Does Untreated Hearing Loss Worsen Dementia?
Hearing loss and dementia often go hand in hand, and leaving hearing loss untreated can make dementia risk higher and cognitive decline faster. Research shows that people with untreated hearing problems face greater chances of memory loss and thinking difficulties as they age.
Scientists have studied this link for years. One key study followed 639 adults for almost 12 years. It found that mild hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia. Moderate hearing loss triples it. Severe hearing loss raises the risk fivefold. These patterns hold true across many large studies from places like Johns Hopkins University.
Why does this happen? When you struggle to hear, your brain works extra hard to make sense of sounds, especially in noise. This extra effort, called cognitive load, tires out the brain. It leaves less energy for memory, attention, and problem-solving. Over time, this strain can speed up mental decline.
Another reason is sensory deprivation. Without clear sounds, the hearing parts of the brain get less active. These areas connect to memory and thinking regions. Less use can cause those brain areas to shrink, as shown in brain scans.
Untreated hearing loss also leads to pulling away from others. Hard conversations make people skip social events, family talks, or group activities. This isolation and loneliness add stress and raise dementia odds even more.
The good news is that treating hearing loss helps. Studies like the ACHIEVE trial show hearing aids slow cognitive decline. In one group of higher-risk older adults, aids cut decline by 48 percent over three years compared to no treatment. Hearing aid users with early memory issues also delayed dementia onset by about two years.
Even mild hearing changes matter. Catching them early with checkups and aids keeps the brain engaged, supports talks with friends, and protects thinking skills.
Sources
https://www.bravohearing.com/hearing-loss-and-dementia/
https://www.audiologymaine.com/hidden-risks-of-untreated-hearing-loss
https://baycrestfoundation.org/articles/brain-matters/hearing-loss-dementia-risk/
https://hearbest.com/hearing-and-brain-health/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12697576/
https://www.hearcarolina.com/blog/hearing-loss-and-dementia-cognitive-decline-prevention/
https://www.rockymountainaudiology.com/hearing/hearing-loss-and-dementia.php
