Untreated Hearing Loss Before Age 70 May Raise Dementia Risk by ~60%

Hearing loss is common as we age, but many people treat it as a minor inconvenience rather than a serious health issue. Emerging research shows that ignoring hearing loss — especially before age 70 — could have major implications for your brain health, including a significantly higher risk of dementia. Fortunately, addressing hearing loss early with hearing aids may help reduce this risk.

---

Why Hearing Loss Affects the Brain

When the ears don’t send clear sound information to the brain, the brain must work harder to interpret speech. This extra cognitive effort can divert mental resources away from memory and thinking functions. Moreover, hearing loss often leads to social withdrawal and isolation, which are independently linked to cognitive decline. This combination of factors may contribute to increased dementia risk in people with untreated hearing loss. 

---

Major Study: Hearing Aids Linked With Lower Dementia Risk

A recent long-term study published in JAMA Neurology examined data from nearly 3,000 participants aged 60 and older who were free of dementia at the start. These individuals underwent formal hearing evaluations and were followed for up to 20 years.

What they found was that people younger than 70 years old with hearing loss who used hearing aids had a 61% lower risk of developing dementia compared with peers with untreated hearing loss. This result suggests that early treatment of hearing loss — before age 70 — is associated with a markedly lower risk of dementia.  (JAMA Network)

While the age-specific effect (under 70) comes from the JAMA Neurology study above, other large research supports the broader connection between hearing loss and dementia risk:

• A large Danish cohort study involving over 573,000 people found that hearing loss was associated with higher dementia risk compared with no hearing loss. Notably, people with hearing loss who did not use hearing aids had a greater risk than those who did — suggesting that hearing aid use may reduce this risk. (JAMA Network)
  

---

How Much Does Risk Increase Without Treatment?

The “~60%” figure refers specifically to the relative reduction in dementia risk observed in people under 70 who used hearing aids compared to their untreated peers. In other words:

• Untreated hearing loss under age 70 was associated with a much higher dementia risk compared with those who got hearing aids.

• Hearing aids were linked with a 61% lower risk of developing dementia in this group. 

It’s important to note that this research is observational — it shows a strong association, but doesn’t prove that hearing aids directly prevent dementia. Still, the consistency across studies supports the idea that hearing care is an important component of brain health.

---

Why Address Hearing Loss Early?

Experts believe treating hearing loss early may help protect cognitive function in several ways:

• Reduces cognitive load by making listening less mentally taxing.

• Preserves brain structures involved in listening and memory.

• Encourages social engagement, combating isolation and keeping the brain active. 

---

Takeaway: Don’t Ignore Hearing Loss

If you’re in your 60s and noticing changes in your hearing, getting evaluated and treated — especially with hearing aids when appropriate — may offer benefits beyond clearer sound. Early intervention could be a practical step in preserving cognitive health and reducing dementia risk later in life.

Fauquier ENT offers hearing evaluations and hearing aids.

---

References (With Links)

1. Francis L, Seshadri S, Dillard LK, et al. Self-Reported Hearing Aid Use and Risk of Incident Dementia. JAMA Neurology (2025) — full article at JAMA: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2837714(JAMA Network)

2. New Study Finds 61% Reduced Dementia Risk Among Hearing Aid Users Under 70 (Hearing Health & Technology Matters summary): https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearing-news-watch/2025/dementia-risk-hearing-aids/ (Hearing Health & Technology Matters)

3. Hearing Loss, Hearing Aid Use, and Risk of Dementia in Older Adults — JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/2813302 (JAMA Network)