A doctor specialising in geriatrics has highlighted correcting hearing loss as the single most effective modifiable step people can take to reduce their risk of developing dementia. The advice follows findings from a clinical trial suggesting hearing aids can slow cognitive decline by nearly half in at-risk older adults.
Dementia is a progressive condition that impairs brain function, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities such as memory and reasoning, as well as speech and emotional regulation over time. In the UK, an estimated 944,000 people are believed to be living with the condition, affecting roughly 1 in 11 people over the age of 65. This number is expected to grow to 1.4 million by 2040 as the population ages.
Expert advice on prevention
Dr Steph, a physician specialising in Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, shared the advice in a video on TikTok. 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 went on to explain: "So if you have any hearing loss and you wear hearing aids, you will cut your risk of dementia by almost half."
Why hearing loss matters
Untreated hearing loss substantially heightens the likelihood of developing dementia, with the risk increasing in line with the severity of the impairment, according to Alzheimer's Society. It has also been linked to a decline in memory and cognitive abilities.
This is because when the listening areas of the brain fall out of use, they may begin to deteriorate. Furthermore, the considerable mental effort required to process sound can ultimately exhaust the brain. Hearing loss is also associated with social isolation and depression, which are themselves independent risk factors for dementia, Dr Steph noted in the caption of her post.
Trial evidence and early signs
She also referenced a clinical trial by ACHIEVE (Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders), which discovered that wearing hearing aids reduced the rate of cognitive decline by 48% over a three-year period amongst older adults at greater risk of cognitive deterioration.
Nevertheless, the Alzheimer's Society emphasised that while the connection between hearing loss and dementia remains incompletely understood, it does not necessarily mean that someone with hearing loss will go on to develop dementia – simply that their risk is elevated.
According to the NHS, common early indicators of dementia include short-term memory loss, difficulty managing everyday tasks, and changes in communication or mood. These symptoms are frequently mild and may deteriorate only very slowly. It is often referred to as "mild cognitive impairment" (MCI) as the symptoms are not serious enough to be diagnosed as dementia. If you are concerned about any symptoms, or believe you or someone close to you has dementia, it is advised to contact your GP to arrange an appointment.
