Proven link between hearing loss and dementia
Are you having trouble hearing conversations? If so, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that there are approximately 11 million people in the UK with a hearing loss. Eight million of these are aged 60 or above, but of these only 2 million actually wear hearing aids. That means there are 6 million people with hearing loss who could benefit from wearing them. And after you read this blog, you might want to seriously consider it.
Don’t become isolated and depressed
In 2017, Dr Piers Dawes, a neuropsychologist from the University of Manchester, conducted extensive studies into the link between dementia and hearing impairment. He found that hearing impairment is associated with cognitive decline and brain atrophy. That’s because when you experience hearing loss, your brain has to work harder to understand sounds and this can affect both thinking and memory. In addition, people with hearing problems are often older, move around less, are more likely to withdraw from social situations and become more isolated over time.
This was supported by the 2024 update of the Lancet Commission on dementia, published 31 July, which provides further evidence that addressing hearing loss in midlife can improve cognitive health and decrease the risk of dementia.
It's worth pointing out that whilst these results are interesting, it doesn’t necessary mean that someone with hearing loss will automatically go on to develop dementia – just that their risk is higher.
How hearing aids can help
A study conducted by the University of Exeter and King’s College London of 25,000 people aged 50 or over found that wearing hearing aids for age-related hearing problems may help maintain better brain function over time, meaning that people are less likely to develop memory and thinking problems. This was supported by research published in The Lancet in 2023, which stated that ‘older adults at greater risk of dementia may be able to decrease their risk of cognitive decline, by nearly half over three years, by using hearing aids’.
In case you hadn't realised - hearing aids don't work at all, if you don't wear them! So if you have hearing aids, but aren’t wearing them for whatever reason (don’t think you need them, find them uncomfortable, have difficulties handling them, or ear problems), then it could be time to either:
Wear them.
Return to your hearing aid dispenser and see if they can make some adjustments.
Book another hearing test with a view to having some different hearing aids.
Don’t put it off!
David Peel, Hearing Aid Audiologist from The Sense of Hearing said: “We shouldn’t ignore the research. Hearing is an essential part of brain health and there is a clear relationship between hearing loss and dementia. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) even go so far as to suggest that mild hearing loss doubles the risk of developing dementia, moderate hearing loss leads to three times the risk and severe hearing loss increases the risk five times.
“Hearing aids only help if you still have some hearing left, so don’t put off getting help if you notice that your hearing is getting worse. Not only can they improve your ability to hear speech, make it easier for you to follow conversations, hear sounds such as the phone and doorbell, listen to the TV, radio and music at a comfortable volume for others, but also you can also reduce your risk of dementia.
“Hearing aids will not make your hearing perfect, but they make sounds louder and clearer, reducing the impact hearing loss has on your life. The first step is to have a hearing test – which is painless and informative. By looking at the results, your Hearing Aid Audiologist will know what type of hearing loss you are experiencing. They will then use their skill to recommend which hearing aids would work best for you. Nowadays, there is huge choice available, many are discreet and have very clever technology, enabling you to feel more confident and less self-conscious.”
Want to reduce your risk of dementia?
To reduce the risk of dementia, older adults should have their hearing checked regularly and get any hearing issues addressed quickly. If you have been having trouble with your hearing, then get your ears checked today. Simply contact The Sense of Hearing on 01295 557008.
