What Does Hearing Loss Have to Do With Dementia?

What Does Hearing Loss Have to Do With Dementia?

You may have come across conversations linking hearing loss and brain health in recent years. It’s an area of growing research, and while the connection is complex, it’s also encouraging. Studies suggest that hearing health is one of several lifestyle factors that may play a role in how our brain changes over time.¹

In this helpful blog, we’ll explore what the research says and what it may mean for everyday hearing care.

What The Research Shows

Large-scale studies have identified hearing loss as a modifiable risk factor for dementia.² This means it’s something that may be able to be supported or managed over time. Some research suggests that hearing loss could be linked to around seven to eight per cent of dementia cases globally, making it one of the more significant modifiable factors identified so far.³ 

It’s important to note that this does not mean hearing loss causes dementia. Rather, researchers have found a consistent association between the two, and this is an area that continues to be explored.

Why Might Hearing And Brain Health Be Connected?

Researchers are still working to understand exactly why this link exists, but several explanations have been proposed.

These include:

• Increased listening effort: When hearing becomes more challenging, the brain may work harder to process sound. Over time, this increased effort may place additional demand on cognitive resources.⁴
• Reduced sound stimulation: Hearing loss can mean the brain receives less auditory input. Some studies suggest this may influence how the brain processes and responds to sound over time.⁵
• Social connection: Hearing plays an important role in communication. When hearing becomes more difficult, people may find themselves engaging less in conversations, which can affect overall cognitive stimulation.⁶

Together, these factors help explain why hearing health is increasingly being considered as part of broader discussions around brain health.

A Positive Shift Towards Prevention

One of the most encouraging aspects of this research is what it highlights: there are small, proactive steps people can take to support their hearing.

Because hearing loss is considered a modifiable factor, it’s something that can be addressed as part of a broader approach to wellbeing, alongside habits like staying active, maintaining social connections and looking after overall health.

Some studies also suggest that managing hearing loss, including using hearing aids where appropriate, may be linked to more positive cognitive outcomes over time.⁷

Hearing is about more than sound; it supports connection, communication and everyday experiences. Taking steps to look after your hearing may help you stay engaged in the moments that matter. If you’ve been thinking about your hearing, a hearing check can be a helpful place to start. Book an appointment at your local Connect Hearing clinic today. Our team of experts can provide proactive steps to support both your hearing and overall wellbeing.

1. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (14 November 2022), Effect of hearing aids on cognitive functions in middle-aged and older adults with hearing loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis, National Library of Medicine, accessed 20 March 2026.
2. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (29 December 2025), The Impact of Lifestyle on Brain Health, National Library of Medicine, accessed 20 March 2026.  
3. UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences (n.d.), The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care, www.ucl.ac.uk, accessed 20 March 2026. 
4. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association (19 December 2023), Hearing loss and dementia in older adults: A narrative review, National Library of Medicine, accessed 20 March 2026. 
5. Ear and Hearing (July 2016), The implications of Cognitive Aging for Listening and the Framework for Understanding Effortful Listening, Ear and Hearing, accessed 20 March 2026. 
6. Ageing Health (29 March 2016), How does hearing loss affect the brain?, National Library of Medicine, accessed 20 March 2026. 
7. International Psychogeriatrics (30 April 2024), Social connections as determinants of cognitive health and as targets for social interventions in persons with or at risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders: a scoping review, National Library of Medicine, accessed 20 March 2026.