Advice · Hearing and health
Can treating hearing loss reduce the risk of dementia?
The 2024 Lancet Commission on dementia identified hearing loss as one of 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia. The research does not show that hearing aids prevent dementia, but it supports having hearing loss assessed and treated.
What the research shows
The 2024 Lancet Commission on dementia prevention estimated that untreated hearing loss accounts for around 7% of dementia cases worldwide. This makes it one of the largest of the 14 modifiable risk factors the Commission identified, alongside high LDL cholesterol.
How hearing loss may affect the brain
Researchers have described two main pathways. The first is social withdrawal. When conversation becomes difficult, people often avoid social situations, which reduces mental stimulation. The second is listening effort. When the brain works harder to process unclear sound, fewer resources may be available for other tasks, such as memory.
Does treating hearing loss help?
The evidence is promising but still developing. Several large studies have found slower cognitive decline in hearing aid users than in non-users with similar hearing loss. The ACHIEVE trial, published in 2023, found that a hearing intervention slowed cognitive decline over three years in older adults at higher risk, but not in the study group as a whole.
The Lancet Commission recommends making hearing aids available to people with hearing loss as part of its prevention strategy.
What this means in practice
Many people wait several years between noticing a change in their hearing and having it checked. A free hearing test at The Chepstow Hearing Clinic takes 60 to 90 minutes and shows where your hearing stands. If hearing aids would help, the clinician explains the options.
A note on the evidence
Hearing aids have not been shown to prevent dementia. The research supports that untreated hearing loss is a significant risk factor that can be addressed, and that having it assessed is a sensible step for long-term health.
Questions people ask
Common questions
Is hearing loss linked to dementia?
Yes. The 2024 Lancet Commission identified hearing loss as one of 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia, estimated to account for around 7% of cases worldwide.
Do hearing aids prevent dementia?
Hearing aids have not been shown to prevent dementia. Some studies have found slower cognitive decline in hearing aid users, and the evidence is still developing.
Should I get my hearing checked if I am worried about dementia?
A hearing test is a straightforward way to find out whether hearing loss is present. The test at The Chepstow Hearing Clinic is free.
Find out where your hearing stands
A free hearing test at our Chepstow clinic, with results explained on the day.