How Hearing Health Supports Brain Health as We Age

As we grow older, it’s natural for our thinking and memory to shift. Some abilities, like vocabulary and general knowledge—called crystallized intelligence—tend to stay strong. Others, like problem-solving and adapting to new situations—known as fluid abilities—often become more challenging. Aging also brings changes in attention (especially the ability to focus on one task or multitask), memory (like remembering where you learned something or keeping track of things to do), and executive function (which helps us plan, manage emotions, and process information quickly).

But did you know that your hearing plays an important role in how your brain functions, too?

The Link Between Hearing Loss and Cognition

Research shows three key ways that hearing loss can impact your thinking and memory:

1. Social Isolation:
   People with hearing loss often feel more isolated or lonely and may withdraw from social activities. This lack of social connection has been linked to poorer cognitive health.

2. Changes in the Brain:
   Untreated hearing loss can lead to changes in brain structure and function, including brain shrinkage (atrophy) in key areas involved in memory and thinking.

3. Cognitive Load:
   When hearing is difficult, your brain has to work harder just to follow conversations. This mental overload leaves fewer resources for memory, focus, and decision-making.

In fact, hearing loss is considered the largest potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia—meaning it’s one of the most impactful things you can address to help protect your brain.

The Good News: Treating Hearing Loss Can Help

Recent studies show that hearing care makes a difference:

• Improved Social Engagement:
  Older adults who used hearing aids maintained richer social lives and felt less lonely.

• Healthier Brain Structure:
  Brain scans of people using hearing aids showed less cortical thinning, which is linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline.

• Better Thinking Skills:
  People using hearing aids also saw improvements in memory, attention, and executive function.

And perhaps most importantly, older adults at higher risk for dementia who treated their hearing loss had a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline over a 3-year period (Lin et al., 2023).

In Summary

Supporting your hearing health isn’t just about clearer conversations—it’s also about preserving your independence, relationships, and brain function as you age. If hearing feels harder lately, a hearing assessment is a powerful first step toward staying sharp, social, and connected.

Click here to schedule your appointment.

References

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2. Deal, J. A., Hwang, S., Camacho, E., Zazove, P., Lin, F. R., & Reed, N. S. (2023). Association of hearing rehabilitation with cortical thickness and cognition in older adults. JAMA Internal Medicine, advance online publication.

3. Griffiths, T. D., Kumar, S., Sedley, W., Holmes, E., McMurray, B., Billig, A. J., & Lad, M. (2018). One year after rehabilitation with hearing aids: Brain structural changes in multimodal cortices and hearing networks. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 10, Article 376.

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13. Lin, F. R., Ferrucci, L., An, Y., Goh, J. O., Doshi, J., Metter, E. J., Davatzikos, C., Kraut, M. A., & Resnick, S. M. (2014). Association of hearing impairment with brain volume changes in older adults. NeuroImage, 90, 84–92.

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