The Hearing Loss and Dementia Link

Hearing loss is linked to dementia.

Does that mean that hearing loss causes dementia? Some scientists say yes, although the evidence isn’t yet clear. It may be that other things, like heart disease, contribute to both hearing loss and cognitive decline.

But we do know that having hearing loss increases your risk of dementia. Confused? Hearing Tracker has a good explanation, including why nailing down causation – that is, one thing causing another – is always challenging.

Here’s a look at the complex, evolving science around hearing loss, the brain, and cognitive decline.

Hearing loss is a heavy cognitive load

When you have a hearing loss, your brain works harder to understand what’s going on around you. Your mind becomes tired more quickly, and you have fewer mental resources to dedicate to thinking and memory.

Social isolation can follow hearing loss

Withdrawal, isolation, and loneliness often accompany our hearing loss. When it’s hard to connect with others, we sometimes simply stop trying. That can mean our brain is less engaged. And intellectual stimulation and activity help protect us from dementia — the “use it or lose it” phenomenon.

Hearing loss changes your brain

Hearing loss might cause parts of your brain to shrink more quickly. And new research suggests that hearing loss may cause maladaptive processes in your brain — that is, when your brain adapts to hearing loss, the neural changes may strain other brain functions, which could cause confusion and also accelerate cognitive decline.

“In the updated Washington State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias 2023-2028, we recognize the growing body of research identifying hearing loss as one of many potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia. We appreciate the help and input from HLAA-WA and Diana Thompson on this important topic.”

–Bea Rector
Co-Chair, Washington State Dementia Action Collaborative (DAC)
Read the full DAC plan here

Can hearing aids help prevent or delay dementia and cognitive decline?

Maybe, for some people.

In 2023, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health completed the ACHIEVE (Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders) study. They found that hearing aids “slowed down loss of thinking and memory abilities by 48% over 3 years” in the older adults who had been diagnosed as having increased risk for cognitive decline.

Thinking and memory for other participants with hearing aids were not impacted in that 3-year period. But researchers are continuing the study to see whether hearing aids help those folks over a longer period of time.

Interestingly, researchers delved deeper into the ACHIEVE data, and they found that when study participants’ hearing loss was treated, they experienced less social isolation and loneliness, and they kept an average of one more person in their social network.

Finally, a 2026 study by the University of Hong Kong suggests more strongly that using hearing aids may reduce the risk of probable dementia in older people with hearing loss. The authors stressed that the participants who reported “good hearing improvement” from their hearing aids had a lower risk. That is, the hearing aids needed to be effective.

Help your ears anyway

Beyond any cognitive protection your brain might experience, treating your hearing loss can benefit your overall health, relationships, and your ability to work and engage in the activities you love. We encourage you to get the information, technology, and support you need to hear better. And we’re here to help.