---
title: How Treating Hearing Loss Can Boost Brain Health
description: Hearing aids are no longer the bulky devices they once were. And besides boosting brain health, they can help fend off dementia, prevent social isolation, and reduce falls.
image: https://blog.silverandfit.com/hubfs/SF%20Blog/Article%20Images/Blog%20185%20-%20Hearing/blog_185_feature-1.jpg
---
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[Healthy Aging](https://blog.silverandfit.com/tag/healthy-aging)
# How Treating Hearing Loss Can Boost Brain Health
By [The Silver&Fit® Team at American Specialty Health](https://blog.silverandfit.com/author/american-specialty-health) on November 10, 2025
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Hearing aids are no longer the bulky devices they once were. And besides boosting brain health, they can help fend off dementia, prevent social isolation, and reduce falls.
Hearing loss is often dismissed as just a normal part of aging. You may note that it’s getting harder to understand conversations in person or when watching TV. You may have trouble ordering food in a noisy restaurant. You may not notice doorbells or alarms. And you may not hear when someone yells a warning or instructs you on how to move safely. Clearly, hearing loss can bring challenges. But do you resist getting your hearing checked, thinking that wearing hearing aids is only for others?
Addressing hearing loss is about more than restoring sounds. It’s a vital investment in your health, your independence, and your mental well-being. Left untreated, hearing loss is strongly linked to:
- Cognitive decline
- Social isolation
- Increased fall risk
The good news is that routine hearing screenings can help catch hearing issues early. And using assistive devices such as hearing aids can improve quality of life and even help protect brain health. Research shows that wearing hearing aids can mean fending off dementia, depression, and anxiety. It can also help keep you from falling.
[Learn more about how hearing aids and other assistive devices can improve your life.](https://blog.silverandfit.com/tag/healthy-aging/assistive-devices)
**What is age-related hearing loss? **
While you may be familiar with the effects of hearing loss, you may wonder why it occurs in the first place. And it does occur often. Hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is one of the most common age-related health issues. About 1 in 3 people ages 65 to 74 have some degree of loss. And nearly half of those 75 and older deal with some hearing issues.
Many factors can play a role in hearing loss as you age. These are:
- Changes in the inner ear and middle ear
- Changes in the nerve pathways from the ear to the brain
- Exposure to loud noises
- Certain genes
- Health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes
- Meds such as those used in chemotherapy
Something to keep in mind about age-related hearing loss is that it often comes on slowly. This means you may not realize it’s happening. So, it’s vital to get your hearing checked.
**The link between hearing loss and cognitive decline **
Of the many reasons to treat hearing loss, the most compelling may be the link between hearing loss and dementia. Research shows that hearing loss is a major risk factor for dementia. To lower the risk, anyone with hearing issues can look into wearing hearing aids. It’s a simple treatment that really has no downside.
For those already dealing with dementia, hearing aids may help slow the progression of the disease. One study found that those diagnosed with dementia who wore hearing aids experienced an almost 50 percent reduction in the rate of cognitive decline compared with those in the study who didn’t wear hearing aids.
**How can this link be explained? **
Researchers have 3 theories for the link between hearing loss and mental decline:
1. When you have hearing loss, you may become less socially engaged. This leads to loneliness. And dementia and mental decline can worsen due to a lack of social interaction.
2. When your brain is not getting clear signals from your ears, it’s constantly trying to compensate. Resources used for thinking and memory are instead used to help with hearing.
3. The structure of the brain changes with hearing loss. There may be atrophy or “shrinking brain.” This is clearly not good for mental function.
The takeaway is that early management of hearing loss—most likely with hearing aids—can help lower your risk of dementia. And it can slow the progression of cognitive decline that has already begun.
**The relationship between hearing loss and social isolation **
Hearing loss can lead to social isolation and loneliness. When conversations swirl around you and can’t be followed easily, it’s hard to interact. Sometimes those with hearing loss tend to give up going to social functions. They talk less with others. This withdrawal can result in too much time alone.
When it comes to older adults, social isolation correlates with higher mortality rates as well as higher spending on health care.
The use of hearing aids allows for more social interaction, which not only enriches life but can also lower the risk of mental decline.
**Hearing loss can affect balance and lead to falls **
You may be surprised to learn that hearing loss is linked to a higher risk of falls. That’s because our ears play a vital role in both hearing and balance. If one suffers, so does the other. This means hearing loss can lead to both reduced inner ear function and poor spatial awareness. And this makes you more prone to lose your balance.
If someone also suffers from cognitive decline, the tendency to fall is even higher.
As falls are a leading cause of injuries and death for older adults, it’s important to boost balance by bringing your hearing back toward normal with hearing aids.
**Next steps if you are concerned about your hearing **
If you have any concerns about your hearing, start by talking with your doctor. You may be referred to an audiologist or an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat doctor). Once your hearing is tested, you will have choices for treatment, if needed.
**Hearing aid options **
There are some interesting new options for hearing aids available. Some are almost invisible when worn. And others don’t look like hearing aids at all. The stigma of wearing clunky, large hearing aids is no longer a reason to avoid using them. Here are some options you can think over:
Traditional but updated prescription hearing aids. These come in simple designs and may have features you can control with your smartphone. For example, you can use software to change the direction of amplification in a noisy restaurant. And you can make calls and listen to music using your phone’s Bluetooth connection.
Some traditional hearing aids now use clear, in-ear speakers that are barely visible to others when worn.
[Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.](https://blog.silverandfit.com/tag/lifestyle/hearing-aids) These need no prescription and are useful if hearing loss is mild to moderate. They cost much less than prescription hearing aids and may be adequate if you are just noticing some trouble hearing.
Hearing glasses. Also known as audio glasses, these are eyeglasses with hearing aids in the frames. Microphones in the frames pick up and amplify sounds. A smartphone can control the audio to focus on sounds in front of or around you.
[Hearing glasses](https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/hearing-aid-glasses.html) may be a good answer if you are self-conscious about wearing hearing aids. People say that when they wear these glasses, no one suspects they are using hearing aids. The hearing glasses run at price points higher than OTC hearing aids but lower than some prescription hearing aids.
Earbuds. Some in-ear wireless speakers, such as certain AirPods, come with hearing aid software. Like OTC hearing aids, these can be helpful for mild to moderate hearing loss and are less costly than prescription hearing aids. Look for FDA-approved products.
Hearing loss is common in older adults. It’s easy to ignore, and the reluctance to wear visible hearing aids keeps some people from seeking help. But hearing loss can lead to serious health issues that can be prevented or slowed with the simple solution of hearing aids.
The first step is to be aware of the dangers of untreated hearing loss. The next step is to visit your doctor. Lastly, if hearing loss is diagnosed, consider the many modern options for hearing aids.
The sooner you get help for hearing loss, the lower your risk of serious health issues, such as cognitive decline. So, take advantage of the latest technology in hearing aids, boost your brain health, and help yourself live your best and healthiest life.
Not a Silver&Fit® member? Learn more about everything the program has to offer, including more helpful healthy living tips like this, [here on our website](https://www.silverandfit.com/).
*This information is not intended to take the place of regular medical care or advice. Please check with your doctor before using this information or beginning any self-care program. Images used for this article do not depict any members of the Silver&Fit Program.*
**References**
Alzheimer’s Society. (2024, August). *Hearing loss and the risk of dementia*. [https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/managing-the-risk-of-dementia/reduce-your-risk-of-dementia/hearing-loss](https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/managing-the-risk-of-dementia/reduce-your-risk-of-dementia/hearing-loss)
American Board of Audiology. (2025, May 6). *Hearables: Another OTC cousin of hearing aids.* [https://www.audiology.org/hearables-another-otc-cousin-of-hearing-aids/](https://www.audiology.org/hearables-another-otc-cousin-of-hearing-aids/)
Baig, E. C. (2025, June 19). *Can I really hear better by wearing these eyeglasses?* AARP. [https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/hearing-aid-glasses.html](https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/hearing-aid-glasses.html)
Braschi, É., & Moe, S. S. (2024). How useful are direct-to-consumer hearing aids? *Canadian Family Physician*, *70*(7-8), 475. [https://doi.org/10.46747/cfp.700708475](https://doi.org/10.46747/cfp.700708475)
Brenowitz, W. D., Kaup, A. R., & Yaffe, K. (2020). Incident dementia and faster rates of cognitive decline are associated with worse multisensory function summary scores. *Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association*, *16*(10), 1384–1392. [https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12134](https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12134)
Cantuaria, M. L., Pedersen, E. R., Waldorff, F. B., Wermuth, L., Pedersen, K. M., Poulsen, A. H., Raaschou-Nielsen, O., Sørensen, M., & Schmidt, J. H. (2024). Hearing loss, hearing aid use, and risk of dementia in older adults. *JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery*, *150*(2), 157–164. [https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2023.3509](https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2023.3509)
Dong, S. H., Park, J. M., Kwon, O. E., Kim, S. H., & Yeo, S. G. (2019). The relationship between age-related hearing loss and cognitive disorder. *ORL: Journal for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Its Related Specialties*, *81*(5-6), 265–273. [https://doi.org/10.1159/000500989](https://doi.org/10.1159/000500989)
Huang, A. R., & Lin, F. R. (2024). Hearing loss and dementia in older adults: A narrative review. *Journal of the Chinese Medical Association: JCMA*, *87*(3), 252–258. [https://doi.org/10.1097/JCMA.0000000000001042](https://doi.org/10.1097/JCMA.0000000000001042)
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (2023, July 21). *Hearing aids may slow dementia onset*. [https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/hearing-aids-may-slow-dementia-onset](https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/hearing-aids-may-slow-dementia-onset)
Lin, F. R., Pike, J. R., Albert, M. S., Arnold, M., Burgard, S., Chisolm, T., Couper, D., Deal, J. A., Goman, A. M., Glynn, N. W., Gmelin, T., Gravens-Mueller, L., Hayden, K. M., Huang, A. R., Knopman, D., Mitchell, C. M., Mosley, T., Pankow, J. S., Reed, N. S., Sanchez, V., Schrack, J.A. (2023). Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA (ACHIEVE): A multicentre, randomised controlled trial. *Lancet*, *402*(10404), 786–797. [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01406-X](https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01406-X)
Mahmoudi, E., Basu, T., Langa, K., McKee, M. M., Zazove, P., Alexander, N., & Kamdar, N. (2019). Can hearing aids delay time to diagnosis of dementia, depression, or falls in older adults? *Journal of the American Geriatrics Society*, *67*(11), 2362–2369. [https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16109](https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16109)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2023, February). *Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)*. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. [https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss)
Penn State Health. (2024, January 31). *The Medical Minute: Hearing impairment can lead to depression, isolation, dementia*. [https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2024/01/the-medical-minute-hearing-impairment-can-lead-to-depression-isolation-dementia/](https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2024/01/the-medical-minute-hearing-impairment-can-lead-to-depression-isolation-dementia/)
Purdue University. (2024, February 23). *Purdue clinician: Hearing loss leads to more falls for older adults*. [https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/news/2024/02/purdue-clinician-hearing-loss-leads-to-more-falls-for-older-adults/](https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/news/2024/02/purdue-clinician-hearing-loss-leads-to-more-falls-for-older-adults/)
Shukla, A., Harper, M., Pedersen, E., Goman, A., Suen, J. J., Price, C., Applebaum, J., Hoyer, M., Lin, F. R., & Reed, N. S. (2020). Hearing loss, loneliness, and social isolation: A systematic review. *Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery: Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery*, *162*(5), 622–633. [https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820910377](https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820910377)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024, September 12). FDA authorizes first over-the-counter hearing aid software. [https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-first-over-counter-hearing-aid-software](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-first-over-counter-hearing-aid-software)
Yu, R. C., Pavlou, M., Schilder, A. G. M., Bamiou, D. E., Lewis, G., Lin, F. R., Livingston, G., Proctor, D., Omar, R., & Costafreda, S. G. (2025). Early detection and management of hearing loss to reduce dementia risk in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: Findings from the treating auditory impairment and cognition trial (TACT). *Age and Ageing*, *54*(1), afaf004. [https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaf004](https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaf004)
This article was written by Sharon Odegaard, edited by Keleigh Somes, and clinically reviewed by Jossue Ortiz, DC, on August 28, 2025.
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