Nearly half of adults experience hearing loss as they age, and recent studies show that the underlying risks differ depending on gender and race.

Why it matters

Tailored ...

New research shows hearing problems could cause up to one-third of dementia cases. Even mild hearing loss might affect your brain.

Context: Scientists followed nearly 3,000 older adults for eight years, and the findings were ...

A large-scale study involving nearly half a million people has uncovered an unexpected connection between loneliness and hearing loss. By following participants over 12 years, researchers discovered that feeling isolated could impact physical health ...

Helping seniors hear better can help them stay socially connected. A recent study found that older adults who use hearing aids maintain more friendships and family relationships compared to those who do not address their hearing loss. This research ...

David Howorth lost his hearing in stages—first one ear, then both. For years, hearing aids and cochlear implants left him isolated. Then he tried an app that changed everything. His story isn’t just about loss. It’s about how AI and innovation are ...

A new study from the University of Gothenburg reveals a hidden barrier for immigrants in Sweden: widespread hearing loss. Over half of newly arrived adults in language classes had hearing issues—yet few get help. This isn’t just about health. It’s ...

You know that friend who's always asking "What?" during conversations? Well, scientists just uncovered something intimidating about hearing loss. It's not just making chats awkward—it's rewiring your brain and speeding up mental decline. ...

A new study shows that sleep disorders and hearing loss are more connected than previously thought. Understanding their shared biological roots could help protect our hearing and sleep more effectively.

Why it matters

Sleep disorders ...

New research reveals higher A1C levels are associated with an increased risk of hearing loss, especially at higher hearing frequencies. The study looked at over 5,000 patients who received hearing and blood tests.

The results add to a growing ...

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease — and as new research shows, it may also contribute to hearing loss.

Why it matters

The research calls attention to the significance of properly managing ...

Hearing loss has long been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Researchers from Carleton University in Ontario are providing fresh insights into ...

A groundbreaking study of 805 Brazilians in their 50s reveals a stark warning: people with hearing loss experience faster mental decline compared to those with normal hearing. Tracked over eight years, the research ...

Noise is more than a nuisance—it can silently damage your health. Scientific research has uncovered a critical connection between hearing loss caused by loud sounds and high blood pressure, revealing that ear damage might be a warning sign for heart ...

New research shows that struggling to hear conversations in noisy environments triggers lasting changes in the brain's insula. These brain changes may shed light on the connection between hearing difficulties and increased dementia risk.

“Multiple ...

With allergy season in full swing, many are experiencing the familiar symptoms of sniffles, sneezes, and itchy eyes. But the consequences of these seasonal allergies can extend far beyond the apparent discomfort: They pose a genuine threat to your ...

Hearing loss isn't just an older person's concern. Alarming signs of serious health issues are emerging in younger adults, with 20% of people in their 20s already experiencing early symptoms.

Why it matters

Untreated hearing loss isn't ...

Researchers have uncovered a significant connection between hearing loss and heart health. The study found that people with hearing loss can face a higher risk of developing heart failure. The researchers investigated the underlying reasons for this ...

As we age, hearing loss creeps in—but it’s not entirely about sound volume. A new study of 2,760 people reveals a hidden hurdle: uneven hearing between ears significantly worsens speech comprehension.

Why it matters

Speech ...

Hearing loss isn't just about struggling to hear conversations—it may significantly impact brain health. Emerging research reveals a critical link between hearing and cognitive function, suggesting potential long-term implications for mental well-being.

Why ...

Brenda Schmidt’s She Heard Her Footsteps introduces Lily, a girl whose vibrant imagination meets the world of sound through new hearing aids. This illustrated tale, inspired by the author’s life, celebrates curiosity and the beauty of embracing ...

Music moves us. But for musicians, the loud beats that define their craft often come at a cost: irreversible hearing damage. Here’s how iconic artists like Chris Martin and Pete Townshend navigate this silent struggle—and what it means for anyone exposed ...

For decades, earplugs were seen as clunky, uncanny tools for old rockers or safety nerds. Not anymore. Today, stylish hearing protection is everywhere: at concerts, clubs, and even offices. The shift isn’t just about fashion—it’s a survival story. ...

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have uncovered how our brains process sound and touch. The findings help explain why people who lose hearing can develop an enhanced sense of touch — a phenomenon experienced by Ludwig van Beethoven.

The ...

Researchers at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine have learned how certain fish and lizards regenerate their hearing, a discovery that could change treatments for human hearing loss and balance disorders.

Why it matters

This ...

Holiday gatherings can be challenging for people with untreated hearing loss. However, making simple adjustments can help make these events more enjoyable.

Try the following —

• Choose quieter locations when possible

• Minimize ...

Imagine losing a critical sense mid-flight and still navigating perfectly. For bats, this isn't science fiction; it's a daily superpower. A groundbreaking study from Johns Hopkins University has uncovered how bats perform an incredible neurological ...

Researchers have discovered a link between COVID-19 and hearing loss, according to a study published in the Lancet's eClinicalMedicine journal in September 2024. This finding has changed our understanding of the virus's diverse impacts on human health.

“Covid-19 ...

Researchers have studied early signs of Parkinson's disease (PD) for many years. A study involving more than 3.5 million US veterans found a link between hearing loss and an increased risk of PD. The findings may alter our approach to neurological ...

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, has far-reaching health implications beyond traditional complications. One such critical and often overlooked impact is its significant relationship with ...

Researchers at Reichman University in Israel have developed a technology that delivers tactile feedback through the fingertips, helping people with hearing impairments better understand spatial position and movement.

Why it matters

The ...

We often hear about the challenges of aging boomers and those in their 80s, but one crisis gets overlooked: hearing loss in people over 90. However, research from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden has examined the hearing health of 91 participants ...

Feeling lonely and isolated isn't just an emotional downer—it can severely impact your physical and mental well-being. Researchers have found the mechanisms linking loneliness to serious health issues.

Why it matters

Chronic loneliness ...

That pair of earbuds practically live in your ears, tuning out the noisy world and keeping you pumped through workouts and long commutes. But at what cost? Emerging research reveals that modern listening habits put many at risk for permanent hearing ...

Could the health of your microbiome be the key to protecting your hearing? Combining magnetic properties relied on in traditional Chinese medicine with the current understanding of the microbiome, researchers have developed an oral treatment to prevent ...

Hearing loss is common among farmers, with many facing irreversible damage due to prolonged exposure to loud machinery.

Why it matters

Hearing loss is a growing problem among farmers, with about half experiencing noise-induced hearing ...

Hearing loss is an isolating experience, gradually disconnecting you from the vibrant world of sounds. Simple pleasures like the chirping of birds or the laughter of loved ones fade away.

However, when you treat hearing loss with professionally ...

Researchers have developed a system to absorb excessive sound in enclosed spaces like theaters and concert halls to make them safer for hearing.

Their revolutionary piezoelectric design converts loud noise into electrical energy.

• The ...

Otosclerosis is hearing loss due to abnormal bone growth in your middle ear. The abnormal growth disturbs the complex series of energy transformations ...

Swiss scientists have identified a signaling pathway, mTORC2, that helps maintain hearing as we age. When mTORC2 activity is decreased or disabled, hair cells of the inner ear physically deteriorate, and fewer sound signals reach the brain, leading ...

Struggling to keep up in noisy environments like restaurants and parties? Having difficulty understanding conversations in work meetings?

The unpredictability of social interactions, recreational or professional, makes them incredibly tricky ...

A new Australian study suggests that implementing simple strategies to strengthen bones could lead to a significant decrease in hip fractures.

Bone health is affected by lifestyle factors such as

• Smoking
• Physical activity

Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, meaning there is no healing after the damage has occurred. Broken air cells do not grow back.

While you know that loud noise contributes to hearing loss, did you know that the vibrations from fireworks ...

The CDC reports more than one-half of U.S. adults agreed that one or more of three protective actions at loud indoor or outdoor recreational events, namely

• Limiting sound levels
• Posting warning signs
• Using hearing protection ...

In this personal story, Shari Eberts discusses the impact of hearing loss on life and how it can lead to a loss of confidence, mental exhaustion, social isolation, and communication difficulties.

Discover ...

New data from Britain's National Health Service reveals over a third of the 50,000 patients going to hospitals in England for hearing loss are under 50.

• Researchers believe the increase in hearing loss is due to listening to loud music ...

Yale School of Medicine scientists have discovered why 50% of adults 75 and older develop hearing problems. The team identified 54 risk variants, including 12 novel ones, that could contribute to adult hearing loss. Researchers sampled nearly 750,000 ...

The American Geriatrics Society updated the minimum geriatrics competencies for medical-school graduates in 2021 to ensure high-quality care for elderly patients.

The enhanced skills are based on five elements known as the 5Ms. The 5Ms are:

1. Mind: ...

Mary Louise Kelly, a co-host of NPR’s daily newsmagazine All Things Considered, has written a memoir, It. Goes. So. Fast. The Year of No Do-Overs, about her hearing loss and coping strategies. She realized she was going deaf in her 40s, getting ...

Noise-induced hearing loss is an occupational hazard for musicians, sound engineers, and related professionals. For example, 30 to 50 percent of professional musicians have tinnitus caused by hearing loss.

“Professional musicians ...

Hearing loss in middle age — ages 45 to 65 — is the most significant risk factor for dementia. It accounts for more than 8 percent of all dementia cases. A 2020 Lancet report ...

Watching someone struggle with hearing loss is heartbreaking, but it's time to act when it's someone you love. But how? Are you confident you can help someone navigate their new normal? To set the stage, let's start with some context.

As we ...

According to researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), hearing loss and tinnitus are common side effects among adult cancer survivors. In their recent study, 50% of the participants who received chemotherapy reported significant ...

In the US today, 48 million people have hearing loss, but by 2060, the number will grow to 73 million. The three causes of hearing loss are

• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Conductive hearing loss—caused by problems that block sound ...

According to the results, only 10% of American adults between 50 and 80 know what's considered "normal" hearing.

Unfortunately, the results of the survey really weren't that surprising. They are important for people to ...

Start a conversation about hearing loss and you might hear the following:

A friend told me that as long as I can hear not worry about losing a bit of hearing. It’s natural.

Look, hearing loss is for old people. You’re only ...