Scientists at the University of Oxford studied adults 60 and older and found that those who had trouble hearing in noisy environments faced double the risk of dementia compared to those with normal hearing.
Why it matters
Untreated hearing loss significantly multiplies your dementia risk. Fortunately, hearing loss is one of the few things you can control to protect your brain as you get older.
The study
80,000 adults 60 and older participated in the Oxford study.
- Participants were tested on their ability to follow conversations amid background noise (crowded restaurants, busy streets).
- Study participants who had trouble hearing in these common situations were twice as likely to develop dementia compared to their peers with normal hearing.
- Concerning: Half of the people with measurable hearing loss were completely unaware of their condition.
- The link between hearing loss and dementia risk remained intact after adjusting for factors like age, education, and existing health conditions.
- Other factors also raise dementia risk—smoking, not exercising, being isolated—but hearing loss has a bigger impact than these.
The big picture
Back in August 2024, we covered a report in the Lancet, identifying hearing loss as one of the few modifiable risk factors for dementia. This new research builds on this earlier report.
Scientists are shifting focus to real-world hearing challenges instead of just basic hearing tests. This makes sense. Your brain works overtime when you can't hear clearly, which wears down your cognitive health.
What to know
You can take steps to protect both your hearing and your brain:
- Wear ear protection at concerts, in factories, or when you're mowing the lawn. These simple moves help preserve your hearing.
- Get hearing aids if you need them. They bring back clarity and cut down on the mental gymnastics required to understand speech.
- Consider getting tested for speech-in-noise problems. This type of hearing test could flag dementia risk years before memory issues show up.
The bottom line: Pay attention to your hearing health. If you struggle to follow conversations in noisy places, protect your future by scheduling a hearing screening.
Healthy hearing starts here
Learn about the health of your hearing with a free 15-minute hearing screening by an audiologist.
★ Call 708-599-9500 to schedule your free screening.
★ For facts about hearing loss and hearing aid options, grab your copy of The Hearing Loss Guide.
★ Sign up for our newsletter for the latest on Hearing aids, dementia triggered by hearing loss, pediatric speech and hearing, speech-language therapies, Parkinson's Voice therapies, and occupational-hearing conservation. We publish our newsletter eight times a year.
Don't let untreated hearing loss spoil your enjoyment of life.
Crest Hill, IL - 630-633-5060 | Palos Hills, IL - 708-599-9500
Go deeper: Dementia: Not Just Fate, Preventable →
