Hearing loss and dementia: what the research shows

What researchers have found

The Lancet Commission on dementia, a group of leading international experts, has identified a set of risk factors that can be changed over a lifetime. In its 2024 update, hearing loss in mid-life was among the largest of these, estimated to account for around 7 percent of dementia cases worldwide.

That does not mean hearing loss causes dementia in any individual, or that everyone with hearing loss will develop it. It means that, across large populations, people with untreated hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia than people without it.

Why there might be a link

• Brain strain: straining to hear uses mental resources that would otherwise support memory and thinking.
• Less stimulation: parts of the brain that process sound get less input.
• Social isolation: people with hearing loss often withdraw from conversation and social life, which is itself a risk factor.
• Shared causes: some underlying factors, such as blood vessel health, may affect both the ear and the brain.

Do hearing aids help?

This is still being studied. A large trial in the United States, published in 2023, found that hearing support did not slow thinking decline over three years in the group as a whole, but did seem to slow it in older adults who were already at higher risk. Several large observational studies have found that people who use hearing aids have a lower risk of dementia than those with untreated hearing loss.

What is certain is that treating hearing loss improves communication, confidence and social connection, which are good for wellbeing at any age.

What you can do

Have your hearing tested, especially from your 50s onwards or if family have noticed changes. If you have hearing loss, try hearing aids early rather than waiting until it is severe, and wear them consistently. Protect your ears from loud noise, stay socially active, and keep up the other healthy habits that support brain health.