Hearing Loss and Cognition

Hearing loss not only impacts your ability to hear but also affects overall health in significant ways. Extensive research shows that untreated hearing loss can increase the risk for a number of health conditions. This includes the risk of cognitive decline which is a key characteristic of conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. This highlights the importance of intervening early and treating hearing loss. There are effective hearing solutions that transform hearing health and also support brain health, reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
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Link Between Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline

Substantial research shows a correlation between hearing loss and cognitive decline. A significant study that investigates the relationships between both conditions was published in the Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. This study involved evaluating the hearing and cognitive capacities of 10,107 people for 8 years. Researchers found that cognitive decline was:

  • 30% higher for people with mild hearing loss
  • 42% higher for people with moderate hearing loss
  • 54% higher for people with severe hearing loss

These findings reveal a significant link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. People with hearing loss were much more likely to experience cognitive decline. Also, the degree of hearing impairment (mild to severe) increases the risk of cognitive decline. This highlights that hearing loss can impact brain health.

It is important to understand that hearing not only happens in the ears but also in the brain. The ears absorb soundwaves from the environment you are in and these soundwaves travel through the ear canal and reach the inner ear. In the inner ear, they are converted into electrical signals and sent to the brain.

Specific areas of the brain are then responsible for processing these signals which include assigning meaning to them, allowing us to understand what we hear. These portions of the brain, responsible for speech and language processing and comprehension, can be impacted in the following ways:

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These effects can impact cognitive functions and brain health. Fortunately, there are hearing solutions that can prevent these outcomes and reduce your risk of experiencing cognitive decline.
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Hearing Aids Support Brain Health

The University of Melbourne Study: researchers looked at how hearing aid use impacts the brain by evaluating the hearing and cognitive abilities of nearly 100 people (ages 62-82), before and after the use of hearing aids. Researchers found that:

  • “97% of participants showed either clinically significant improvement or stability in executive function (mental ability to plan, organize information and initiate tasks)”.

Study Published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society: researchers facilitated memory tests with 2,000 people (ages 50 and older) and found that wearing hearing aids increased test scores. They concluded that hearing aids can change the trajectory of cognitive health among adults.

These studies support further research that highlights how hearing aids can improve brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation. This is the first step towards treating hearing loss and prioritizing your hearing health and wellness.