A doctor specialising in geriatrics has shared that correcting hearing loss—a common health problem many may not link to brain health—can reduce the risk of developing dementia by almost half.
Dr Steph, a doctor specialising in Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, posted a video on TikTok explaining that the number one modifiable thing you can do to prevent dementia is the correction of hearing loss. She said: "It's just a reminder that the number one modifiable thing that you can do to prevent dementia is the correction of hearing loss."
She added: "So if you have any hearing loss and you wear hearing aids, you will cut your risk of dementia by almost half."
How hearing loss affects dementia risk
Untreated hearing loss significantly increases the risk of developing dementia, with the risk rising relative to the severity of the hearing impairment, according to Alzheimer's Society. It has also been linked to a decrease in memory and thinking skills.
This is because when you're not using those listening parts of your brain anymore, those areas may shrink. In addition, you spend so much cognitive energy trying to hear, your brain may wear out. Hearing loss is also associated with social isolation and depression, which in itself are independent risk factors for dementia, Dr Steph added in the caption of her post.
She went on to mention a clinical trial by ACHIEVE (Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders), which found that using hearing aids reduced the rate of cognitive decline by 48% over a three-year period in older adults who had a higher risk of cognitive decline.
However, the Alzheimer's Society made it clear that while the link between hearing loss and dementia is not fully explained, it does not mean that someone with hearing loss will go on to develop dementia – just that their risk is higher.
Dementia statistics and signs
Dementia is a progressive condition that affects brain function, resulting in a deterioration of cognitive abilities such as memory and reasoning, along with speech and emotions over time. In Wales, 51,000 people live with dementia, with this set to rise by 37% to 70,000 by 2040. Meanwhile, research reveals that more than 944,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, making it about 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK having dementia.
According to the NHS, common early signs of dementia include short-term memory loss, trouble with everyday tasks, and changes in communication or mood. These symptoms are often mild and may get worse only very gradually. It's often termed "mild cognitive impairment" (MCI) as the symptoms are not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia.
If you are worried about any symptoms, or think you or someone near you have dementia, it's recommended to contact your GP to make an appointment.
