Are Dementia and Hearing Loss Connected?

By Kathy Mellott, AuD

As evidence increases showing that there may be a connection between hearing loss and dementia, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is urging hearing checks among Baby Boomers and Gen Xers. Because most hearing loss can be managed with hearing aids, those with hearing loss are encouraged to be fit with hearing aids when appropriate.

Several recent studies have looked at the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive function. One such study, conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging, and published in the Archives of Neurology, found that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those with normal hearing. The study also found that the worse the hearing, the higher the likelihood of developing dementia.

According to the Johns Hopkins, the reason for the link between the two conditions is that a common pathology may underlie both, or that the strain of decoding sounds over the years may overwhelm the brains of people with hearing loss, leaving them more vulnerable to dementia. They also speculate that hearing loss could lead to dementia by making individuals more socially isolated, a known risk factor for dementia and other cognitive disorders.

According to BHI, these research findings should prompt people to take hearing loss seriously. Baby Boomers and Gen Xers especially are encouraged to get their hearing tested by an audiologist who can provide a thorough examination and, if needed, can fit them for hearing aids. Healthy hearing helps people remain socially and cognitively engaged, so hearing checks should be a regular part of preventive healthcare.