Studies have found an association between hearing loss and the development of dementia in older adults. Research also suggests that using hearing aids to treat hearing loss may help slow the development of cognitive problems. *

As we age, connections between cells in the brain are damaged, or some cells are lost—a process that has scarily been called “brain atrophy” or simply “cognitive decline,” which can eventually lead to dementia.

The reasons this happens are complex, of course. Some causes of cognitive decline are inevitable (such as genetics), but other causes are controllable. The good news: Hearing loss appears to fall into the latter category.

This means that when you take steps to prevent or treat hearing loss, you are helping reduce your risk of dementia, noted a landmark report from the British medical journal Lancet. Other risk factors you can modify include high blood pressure, high alcohol intake, smoking, depression, social isolation, and physical inactivity, among others.

Do hearing aids prevent cognitive decline?

First, a long-awaited 2023 randomised controlled trial provides important new clarity on this question. The study investigated the impact of hearing loss intervention on dementia. The intervention included use of hearing aids, a hearing “toolkit” to assist with self-management, and ongoing instruction and counselling with an audiologist.

The results showed that over a three-year span, the intervention reduced the typical rate of expected cognitive decline among adults aged 70–84. However, the benefit was limited to people who had not just hearing loss but also other risk factors for dementia, such as heart disease, lower educational levels and limited physical activity.

What are the best hearing aids for dementia?

For people with hearing loss and diagnosed dementia, hearing loss should never be ignored, as it may exacerbate dementia symptoms, increase their disorientation and make their environment less safe (they can’t hear a running faucet, for example).

While there are no hearing products made specifically for dementia patients, there are plenty of hearing aid types and styles out there that can still be helpful.

Here at Hummingbird Hearingcare, we frequently hear from the children and caretaker of adults with dementia who are thrilled with how hearing aids improved their loved one’s life. You can see real-life examples in this article: You’re never too old for hearing aids.

*https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/hearing-aids-slow-cognitive-decline-people-high-risk