Introduction

Hearing loss is a condition that affects 1.5 million people in 2021 according to the World Health Organization(1). People with age-related hearing loss have a higher risk of developing cognitive impairments like Dementia and Alzheimer’s. But why? In this blog, we’ll look at the connection between hearing and cognition through research that has been done to explore the link.

Cognitive Decline and Dementia

Firstly, what is cognitive decline? Cognitive decline, like Dementia and Alzheimer’s, are debilitating impairments of the brain. These diseases affect over 50 million people worldwide (2). Dementia is an umbrella term for various cognitive diseases, including Alzheimer’s. All are a reduction in cognitive functions like memory, attention, processing, etc. in varying parts of the brain. Now, it’s relation to hearing…

Hearing loss affects more than your ability to hear.

On the surface, hearing loss may seem like a relatively minor nuisance. You might have trouble hearing your spouse or kids. Additionally, you might have to ask people to repeat themselves when they talk to you. These difficulties can actually have a significant impact on your health and quality of life, especially for adults over 65 years of age.

Negative impacts on physical and mental health coincide with symptoms of hearing loss. Including difficulty communicating, social isolation, higher risk of falls, depression, heart problems, diabetes, and cognitive decline. For unknown reasons, hearing loss overlaps with a variety of other health-related issues. With Dementia and Alzheimer’s, hearing loss is the highest independent risk factor (1, 2, 4) followed by depression, social isolation, smoking, and diabetes (2). Hearing loss is a risk factor for cognitive decline, but it is not the cause.

Hearing and Cognition

In a study by Dr. Frank Lin (3), they evaluated age-related conditions and their effect on cognition in 639 adults for nearly 12 years. In this study and other research, cognitively intact individuals with hearing loss were at higher risk of cognitive decline (2, 3, 4) compared to those without hearing loss (4). Dr. Lin (3) noted that with increasing degrees of hearing loss, the risk of cognitive decline also increases.

But why? This is the big question that research is still trying to find answers to. It’s theorized that social isolation, lack of brain stimulation (use it or lose it theory), auditory processing (how hard the brain works to interpret sounds), and other such processes are related to these two health issues. Hearing loss demands more energy from your brain than a normal level of hearing does. No surprise that studies have found that hard-of-hearing individuals show signs of increased mental stress. Whether one causes the other or some underlying issues cause both (2) we still don’t know.

Will hearing aids help?

A recent study found that patients with hearing loss, who do not use hearing aids, have a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment – no matter what the severity of their hearing loss (3).

Hearing aids can possibly delay the onset (4) of cognitive impairment. Research is investigating if and how hearing aids can combat cognitive decline. In preliminary studies, there has been no downside to wearing hearing aids (3).

Early diagnosis and successful treatment of hearing loss are likely to have a beneficial effect on the brain. It stimulates the auditory processing areas of the brain, aids with social interactions, reduces depression, etc. Which are risk factors for cognitive diseases. Like most things, the earlier it’s caught and treatment introduced the better outcomes overall.

Are you at risk for cognitive decline?

As you get older, the possibility of cognitive decline and certain risk factors increases. However, most of these factors are either preventable or mitigated with early intervention.

If you feel like you’re struggling to hear or having more “senior moments”, don’t panic just yet! There are many reasons why people might experience temporary changes in their hearing and mental health—like wax, stress, or depression. They don’t necessarily mean something more serious is going on. However, if these symptoms persist over time and interfere with daily life or activities it would be worth talking to your doctor and hearing care professional.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many reasons why hearing and cognition are linked. Such as social isolation and a higher demand for energy from our brains. Early diagnosis and successful treatment will have a beneficial effect on our physical, mental, and cognitive health, possibly delaying or preventing cognitive diseases like Dementia.

References 

1. World Health Organization (2021).  World Report on Hearing. 2021, pg 46. Geneva, Switzerland.
2. Chern, A., & Golub, J. S. (2020, December 19). Age-related hearing loss and dementia. Alzheimer’s disease and associated disorders. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7749722/
3. Hopkins Medicine. (2022, June 17). The hidden risks of hearing loss. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
4. Ehrenfeld , T. (2021, August 3). Hearing loss and dementia: How are they related? Healthy Hearing. Retrieved from https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52904-The-connection-between-hearing-loss-and-cognitive-decline