Many folks assume hearing loss is just an inevitable (and annoying) part of getting older, but new research suggests it could be far more serious. Findings taken from the Framingham Heart Study found that even mild hearing loss in midlife may accelerate brain aging, impact cognitive function, and significantly increase the risk of dementia.
Researchers tracked over 2,100 participants and found that those with mild or worse hearing loss had smaller brain volumes, more white matter abnormalities, and faster declines in executive function. Any degree of hearing loss was tied to a 71 percent higher risk of developing dementia. The risk was even higher for those carrying the APOE4 gene, with hearing loss linked to nearly three times the chance of developing dementia.
“Without regular auditory stimulation due to hearing loss, evidence suggests that parts of the brain can shrink. This happens because the brain must compensate for reduced audio input, and over time, that strain can alter neural pathways, leading to shrinkage in areas that process sound,” says Sigurd Brandt, medical director at LISTEN TO THIS. “Although the brain attempts to adapt by reorganizing itself, that compensation comes at a cost. It can weaken overall cognitive health.”
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Luckily, using hearing aids appeared to help slow these risks, protecting the brain while improving hearing. Still, approximately 430 million people globally live with hearing loss and wait up to nine years after a diagnosis before getting their first hearing aid, according to the Hearing Loss and Language Association.
“While hearing aids aren’t a cure-all, evidence suggests that they can help slow the decline in cognitive abilities, especially for those most at risk,” says Brandt. “A study published in The Lancet found that using hearing aids could reduce dementia cases by up to 7 percent. While more research is needed, it highlights the potential addressing hearing loss can have on reducing new cases of dementia on a global scale.”
Overall, the findings show that midlife hearing loss could be an early marker of brain aging. For men in their 40s, 50s, and beyond, paying attention to hearing health may be as important as monitoring blood pressure or cholesterol. Regular hearing checks and early intervention with hearing aids could be a simple and actionable way to help maintain brain health and lower dementia risk.
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