About one in three Americans over 60 experiences hearing loss — and the risk only grows with age. Changes in the hearing nerve, blood flow, and the brain’s ability to process sound all play a role.
What’s surprising is that hearing loss is now considered one of 12 modifiable risk factors for dementia. Research shows that people with untreated hearing loss are 30 to 54 percent more likely to develop cognitive decline. The good news? Hearing aids reduce dementia risk by nearly 20 percent — and for some, they may even help slow decline.
Spotting the early signs
Hearing loss often creeps up gradually, so it’s easy to miss. Common signs include:
- -Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds or softer voices
- -Struggling to follow conversations in noisy places
- -Ringing in the ears
- -Turning up the volume on the TV or phone more often
“You might start noticing that in background noise, the humdrum of the day, you’re not always picking up sharply what’s being said,” audiologist Natalie Stephenson said in a Being Patient LiveTalk.
Untreated hearing loss can also lead people to withdraw socially, missing out on vital brain stimulation from conversations and connections. Other conditions, like diabetes, can worsen hearing problems and further raise dementia risk.
Why it’s worth seeing an audiologist
If you’re noticing changes in your hearing, experts say: get tested. While over-the-counter hearing aids are now available, an audiologist can check for issues like earwax build-up, test different aspects of hearing, and recommend the right device for your needs.
“There are effective devices at many price points, so I don’t think that finances should be a barrier to exploring the options that are out there,” Dr. Sarah A. Sydlowski, the audiology director of the Hearing Implant Program, told Being Patient. An audiologist can help patients navigate the landscape of different hearing aids to figure out which one is best based on hearing problems as well as financial concerns, she added.
Her advice: As with any other health issue, diagnosing and treating them early are key to preventing further complications down the line: “When you identify hearing loss early and start using appropriate, well-fitted hearing aids, you’re giving your brain access to those sounds that keep it sharp and active.”
