- Don’t underestimate the power of your ears! Research reveals a notable connection between hearing loss and a heightened risk of dementia in older adults.
- Although the degree of your hearing loss does make a difference, even mild hearing loss doubles your risk for cognitive decline, increasing the odds of dementia later on.
- But here’s the good news: you can take control. Research has identified 12 risk factors for dementia that are potentially changeable, and hearing loss is one of them.
- Investing in your hearing health can have a tremendously positive impact on your well-being and potentially reduce your risk of dementia later in life.
- Studies also show that wearing quality hearing aids can improve brain function and slow down — possibly reversing — the adverse effects of hearing loss on the brain.
- Want to get the full picture of your hearing health? Book your Ear360 assessment today!
- Or read on in our Ultimate Guide to Hearing Aids.
- Curious about your own risk factors? Learn more about the risks of untreated hearing loss and the benefits of wearing hearing aids.
- You can also explore the Memory and Hearing Health category page for more on this connection.
Understanding hearing loss
As we journey through life, it’s not uncommon to notice changes in our hearing, a phenomenon often referred to as ‘presbycusis’. This experience is a natural part of the ageing process and is typically brought on by the wear and tear of our inner ears, specifically occurring in the cochlea or hearing organ.
However, ageing is merely one piece of the puzzle when it comes to our hearing health. Sometimes, hearing loss can stem from issues in the pathways that deliver sound signals from our ears to our brains. In other cases, health concerns such as diabetes, strokes, or high blood pressure can also contribute to a decline in hearing.
The impact of hearing loss on daily life
When we talk about the daily challenges of hearing loss, you might imagine having trouble hearing the TV or following conversations — but while these situations are tough, they’re just the tip of the iceberg. Our ears are highly interconnected with many aspects of our well-being; they’re more impactful than you think. It’s for this reason, among others, that hearing loss can have severe long-term impacts on our health with wide-ranging effects.
Impacts of hearing loss include:
- Cognitive decline and dementia
- Balance issues and risk of having a fall
- Social isolation and depression
- Poor quality of sleep
What’s more, hearing loss has been associated with an increased number of emergency department visits and hospitalisations. Yet, a 2019 investigation indicated that fewer than 20% of adults with hearing loss reported using hearing aids to support improved hearing.
What is dementia?
Dementia is not a specific disease; it’s an umbrella term describing a decline in cognitive function that goes beyond what’s expected with ageing. Several diseases fall under the umbrella of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, and Parkinson's, and all are caused by abnormal changes in the brain.
Memory loss is the most well-known symptom of dementia, but it’s important to note that it’s natural for our memory to weaken as we age. The difference is that dementia covers a range of symptoms, often including severe memory loss, that significantly affect your cognitive abilities.
According to Alzheimer's NZ, early signs of dementia may include:
- Recent memory loss that affects daily life
- Difficulty performing regular tasks
- Problems with language
- Disorientation of time and place
- Decreased or poor judgement
- Problems with abstract thinking
- Misplacing things
- Changes in mood and behaviour
- Changes in personality
- Loss of initiative
Dementia is a general term encompassing symptoms affecting cognitive abilities. Alzheimer's, on the other hand, sits under the dementia umbrella as a specific disease, among other forms of diseases such as Vascular Dementia and Parkinson's.
Research has shown that there are 12 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia, most of which are lifestyle-related. This means that we have an opportunity to make better choices to protect our health.
The link between hearing loss and dementia
Numerous studies indicate a pronounced link between hearing loss and a heightened risk of dementia in older adults. In fact, an almost 12-year-long study of 639 adults revealed that even cases of mild hearing loss doubled the risk of dementia, with moderate and severe loss tripling and quintupling the risk, respectively.
Does hearing loss cause dementia?
Although there is a correlation between hearing loss and dementia, it’s important to note that one does not directly cause the other. Research does, however, suggest that untreated hearing loss can lead to cognitive issues, which may potentially contribute to a dementia diagnosis if symptoms are compromising social and/or occupational functioning.
Three mechanisms researchers think may be at play:
- Hearing loss causes the ageing brain to shrink more quickly.
- Hearing loss can make the brain work harder, forcing it to strain when trying to hear and fill in the gaps, which comes at the expense of other thinking and memory systems.
- Hearing loss leads people to be less socially engaged, which is hugely important for maintaining intellectual stimulation, as it keeps the brain engaged and active.
Ways to reduce the risk of dementia
While some factors contributing to dementia, such as family history, are beyond our control, research indicates that a selection of factors are potentially within our control. By targeting these, we may be able to prevent or delay 40% of dementia cases — a significant portion of the millions of prevailing cases we see worldwide.
These changeable factors are called ‘potentially modifiable risk factors’, with 12 identified in the Lancet Commision’s 2020 report on dementia prevention, intervention, and care. Among the considerations, most are lifestyle-related, giving people an opportunity to possibly increase their chances of preserving memory and staving off dementia.
12 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia
- Less education
- Hearing loss
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Hypertension
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Depression
- Social Isolation
- Physical inactivity
- Air pollution
- Diabetes
Want to learn more? Find further insights in The Lancet’s report.
Managing hearing loss to prevent dementia
Hearing loss is among those key factors listed in The Lancet’s report, which identifies 12 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia. This is exciting news, as it means we have a chance to improve our long-term health by focusing on our ears! But where to begin?
Firstly, it’s important to remember that hearing loss isn’t proven to directly cause dementia. Rather, the worse your hearing is, the more likely you are to have memory problems, which can, in turn, lead to dementia. With this in mind, health professionals recommend tending to signs of hearing loss and taking action where needed.
How do hearing aids reduce the risk of dementia?
When faced with even mild hearing loss, your brain goes into superhero mode, working extra hard to process information. This often requires some re-organising of the brain to compensate for the hearing loss, which relies on other senses like your eyes to help you ‘hear’ better.
Scientists researched this phenomenon by examining the brain as people undertook specific tasks that only required using their eyes. Typically, only the part of the brain connected to the eyes should light up. However, the scientists found that people with hearing problems had excessive parts of their brain working during these tasks, including the thinking and hearing areas — an example of adverse cognitive change.
Yet, after wearing hearing aids for six months, those with hearing impairments showed a reversal in the negative changes to their brain function. Simply put, their brains didn’t have to work as hard anymore. This fascinating 2020 study serves as a compelling demonstration of how untreated hearing loss may be linked to dementia, also proving that quality hearing aids have the power to improve brain function.
Using hearing aids to manage hearing loss
If you or someone you know is experiencing hearing problems, hearing aids can be a highly effective solution — potentially reducing cognitive decline for those with a higher risk of dementia (learn more in this 2023 study). At Resonate, we aim to make premium hearing care easy and accessible. One way we do this is through our hearing aid subscription, Unlimited.
With Unlimited, you get access to best-in-class devices worth $10,000 for just $90 per month. And that’s not all! Our subscription also provides free hearing aids every three years, along with unlimited support and servicing. You’re never in it alone — our team is always there to help.
Getting started with Resonate’s Ear360 assessment
One of the easiest ways to start your hearing care journey is by taking our Ear360 assessment. Unlike most hearing tests, this assessment takes a holistic approach, exploring ten critical areas of your hearing health, including ear hygiene, hearing, cognitive load, memory, sleep, tinnitus, and balance.
In one 60-minute appointment, we can help identify hearing problems early, allowing for the best possible proactive treatment. Ready to get started? Book your assessment online today!
Choosing the right hearing aids in New Zealand
We get it; finding the best hearing aids isn’t the simplest task. That’s why we created our Ultimate Guide to Hearing Aids. This tool has everything you need to know from start to finish of the journey. But if you want advice and support, our team of audiologists is here to help.
Whether you need a hearing assessment, are exploring different types of hearing aids, or simply want to discuss hearing care, we welcome you to connect with your local Resonate studio. Our teams are located all across New Zealand — you can find your local studio here — or feel free to get in touch via 0800 737 662.