The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline
Ear-Brain Connection: How the Brain Processes Sound
While most people think of their ears when it comes to sound, the brain is what actually interprets it. Here’s how hearing works in the brain:
- The ears and brain are actually meant to work together in perfect harmony — a seamless connection that happens in the blink of an eye.
- The outer ear funnels sound waves to the eardrum, causing vibrations.
- Those vibrations continue moving through the ear to our organ of hearing called the cochlea. Here, vibrations get turned into electric impulses that move through our hearing nerve to the brain to be processed.
When there is hearing loss, it creates a ripple effect within the brain.1 The constant effort to make sense of sounds can lessen the capacity for other mental functions, such as organizing thoughts, retaining memories, and making decisions.
According to Dr. Frank Lin of Johns Hopkins University, when there is a lack of stimulation for the brain, brain atrophy can occur since it’s no longer picking up cues to keep it processing and operating smoothly as it would in normal hearing.2
The Role of Social Isolation in Cognitive Decline
It’s no secret that untreated hearing loss makes it difficult to communicate and stay involved in conversations, often causing individuals to withdraw from social interactions. This isolation reduces mental stimulation, a critical factor in maintaining good brain health. In fact, research published in The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention indicates that social isolation is a significant risk factor for dementia.3
The negative impact of social isolation on one’s well-being cannot be overstated. Thinking back to the 2020 pandemic, where everyone in the U.S. was advised to practice social distancing, there’s no denying the impact the isolation had on a lot of people’s mental well-being.4 Research clearly shows that being isolated socially is linked to depression, anxiety and cognitive decline, bringing to light the danger of untreated hearing loss and social isolation.3
Social connections are essential for mental clarity, mood, emotional well-being and a healthy brain. Advanced hearing aids and assistive listening devices can help individuals with hearing loss remain active socially, mentally and physically as they age.
Better Hearing and Brain Health with Advanced Tech
There are solutions to help people with hearing loss, and their brains, age healthier. Research shows that treating and improving hearing health with hearing aids, for example, can keep the brain engaged and lower the risk for hearing-loss-related cognitive decline.3
Hearing aid technology and design have come a long way, offering advanced features that do much more than just amplify sound. Devices are now designed to ease auditory processing and lessen cognitive strain with a variety of features, which may include:
- Advanced processing technology that boosts speech clarity as it enters the ear.
- Automatic noise reduction so you can focus on speech and conversation.
- Directional microphone to help you focus on the conversation you need to hear, from any direction.
- Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect to your devices and stream audio right into your hearing aids.
These advancements not only improve hearing but also alleviate the mental workload associated with hearing. Hearing care providers like HearUSA offer tailored solutions to help meet unique hearing and lifestyle needs. By reducing the effort on the brain, these devices truly support whole-health and overall well-being.
Experienced providers like the ones at HearUSA are also trained to use tools like 'Real Ear Measurements' to verify that hearing aids are customized to each individual ear.
Prevention: A Holistic Approach to Hearing and Brain Health
Hearing and brain health experts, as well as companies like HearUSA, emphasize early intervention and a holistic approach to achieving optimal hearing and brain health. A holistic approach includes:5
- Having regular hearing screenings in addition to your annual physical, especially after the age of 50, to detect issues early.
- Stay active and exercise.
- Do mental exercises like crosswords or learning new skills, such as a new language.
- Eat a balanced, healthier diet. Think less processed foods and more vegetables and lean protein.
- Wear hearing aids as directed, if needed.
- Diet and exercise are just as vital for the ears as they are for the rest of the body. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins support inner ear health, while physical activity improves circulation to the ears.
Adopting these habits and exercising your mind can help you keep your ears and brain as healthy as possible as time goes on.
Prioritize Your Hearing, Protect Your Brain
The connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline highlights the importance of addressing hearing issues promptly. However, as of today, people still wait an average of seven years to treat hearing loss.6 But now that a strong connection to cognitive decline has been established, the hope is that more people will understand the need to treat hearing loss sooner than later.
It’s clear that protecting hearing health is not just about sound, it’s an investment in long-term health and overall well-being. Modern and custom hearing solutions, if you have hearing loss, combined with proactive lifestyle choices, are crucial in preserving both hearing and brain health.
Don’t wait - early intervention can preserve your hearing and protect your cognitive health. Schedule your hearing test today!
2 Johns Hopkins Medicine. "The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss." https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
3 The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention." thelancet.com/
4. National Library of Medicine. “Impact of Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Homelessness: Qualitative Interviews with Behavioral Health Providers.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9566547/
5 Pacific Neuroscience Institute: “Understanding the Link Between Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline: Key Insights and Prevention Strategies.” https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/blog/ear-hearing/understanding-the-link-between-hearing-loss-and-cognitive-decline-key-insights-and-prevention-strategies/
6 Center for Hearing and Communication. “The Facts About Hearing Loss. https://www.chchearing.org/facts-about-hearing-loss
