New research finds protective benefits are strongest when hearing aids are adopted before age 70
A major new study has found that starting to use hearing aids in your 60s can reduce the risk of dementia by up to 61%. The research, which tracked nearly 3,000 adults over two decades, suggests that hearing aid benefits are not as effective if fitted after the age of 70.
The study adds weight to earlier findings that untreated hearing loss is a major risk factor for cognitive decline. By intervening earlier, patients may be able to avoid some of the long-term consequences of hearing loss.
The link between deafness and brain health
There are several mechanisms behind the connection. Hearing loss increases cognitive load, as the brain must work harder to process sound. This can lead to mental fatigue and may accelerate brain atrophy.
People with hearing loss are also more likely to experience social isolation, which is associated with lower cognitive stimulation and a higher risk of depression.
“We see this play out every week in the clinic,” said Abigail Pillay, a clinical audiologist at Hearology®. “People often come in saying they can’t follow conversations in groups, and over time they begin to withdraw and find themselves more isolated.”
Dr Sudha Seshadri, behavioural neurologist and co-author of the study, said hearing intervention in midlife could be a valuable strategy to delay or prevent dementia.
Findings repeated
The findings match those from the US National Institutes of Health, which funded a randomised trial showing that hearing aids reduced the rate of cognitive decline by nearly 50% in older adults at high risk of dementia.
The ACHIEVE study, which tracked 977 participants with untreated mild to moderate hearing loss, found that those using hearing aids saw a 48% slower rate of decline over three years.
Around 27 million Americans over 50 have hearing loss, yet only one in seven uses hearing aids. Many delay treatment by up to a decade, often due to cost, stigma or limited access.
In 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss. These can now be bought online or in pharmacies, without a prescription or fitting. Brands such as Sony and Bose have entered the market, lowering costs and widening access.
But concerns remain. Clinicians warn that self-diagnosis may miss underlying conditions, and that OTC devices are not typically personalised to the user or their hearing loss. Stigma around hearing aids still discourages many from seeking help early.
A case for prevention
The growing body of evidence suggests hearing care should be seen as part of dementia prevention. Treating hearing loss in midlife may help preserve cognitive function, improve quality of life and reduce pressure on health systems.
As Abigail Pillay put it: “The earlier we act, the better the outcomes – for hearing, for meaningful communication, and for overall cognitive well-being.”
References
- Hearing aids slow cognitive decline in people at high risk - a study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that hearing aids reduced the rate of cognitive decline in older adults at high risk of dementia by almost 50%
- Hearing aids gain hipper reputation as "lifestyle" products after going OTC - report on the hearing aid market’s growth
- The DIY health economy expands with OTC hearing aids - the availability of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids marks a significant development in the DIY health economy
