Hearing aids and dementia

Dementia and hearing loss

It’s well known that the risk of dementia increases with age, but it turns out that age isn’t the only factor—hearing loss may also play a role. Learn about the relationship between the two conditions, how hearing aids can help, and how to care for loved ones with hearing loss and dementia.

This content was approved by:

Dr. Thomas Tedeschi, Au.D.

Chief Audiology Officer, Miracle-Ear

View profile

Key Takeaways

The risks of hearing loss and dementia naturally increase with age, and the two conditions may be closely related.
Inconsistent hearing aid usage is linked to increased social isolation, cognitive decline, depression, and anxiety.
Hearing loss is estimated to account for 8% of dementia cases worldwide.
In addition to improving hearing ability, hearing aids may also prevent or reverse cognitive decline in patients at a high risk for dementia.
The best hearing aids for dementia are simple to set up and control.
Speaking to a loved one with hearing loss and dementia with patience, clear communication, and empathy can encourage them to use their hearing aids more often.

Hearing Diseases and Health Concerns

Hearing plays an important role in our health. You may be surprised by how hearing health affects and is affected by other systems in our body, from mental health to physical health. Hearing loss is connected to many other health conditions throughout the body. While hearing loss may not be the cause of these diseases or conditions, it is considered a risk factor for many.

Book a free hearing test Discover more

Hearing aids for patients with dementia

The relationship between hearing loss and dementia is stronger than you might think. In fact, hearing loss is estimated to account for 8% of dementia cases worldwide (that equates to roughly 800,000 new cases each year).¹

While hearing aids for dementia patients may not be the first treatment option that comes to mind, the strong relationship between the two conditions means hearing aids could be an effective method for reducing or reversing cognitive decline with age.

Find your closest Miracle-Ear center

Enter ZIP code

Book an appointment

Change store

Best hearing aids for dementia

So, what are the best hearing aids for seniors with dementia to relieve symptoms and improve mental acuity? The right solution varies from person to person, but certain features can make wearing hearing aids easier for people with dementia. Look for hearing aids that are easy to use with simple controls.

For example, Miracle-EarSPARK™ is well-suited for those with cognitive challenges, thanks to AI technology that automatically adjusts to your environment so you don’t have to worry about manually changing programs. That means you can hear clear, natural sound wherever you go—no need to remember which buttons to push or fumble with your hearing aid.

For the best results, consult a hearing care professional to get tested and fitted for hearing aids designed for your needs.

Can hearing aids reverse dementia?

In addition to making hearing and language processing clearer, hearing aids may play a role in reducing or reversing cognitive decline. In fact, hearing loss is one of the largest modifiable risk factors for dementia.²

There are several contributing factors for the connection between hearing loss/hearing aids and dementia, including:

People with hearing loss may be more likely to withdraw from social situations, increasing the risk of social isolation and depression, which are risk factors for dementia.
Hearing loss can affect language comprehension. Over time, this may lead to memory and cognition issues due to a lack of brain stimulation.
Hearing loss may also require the brain to work harder to process sounds and language, which can negatively affect thinking and memory.

However, research supports the idea that hearing aids can reduce the risk of dementia. A three-year study published in 2023 suggested hearing interventions (like hearing aids) may reduce cognitive changes for older adults at increased risk of cognitive decline.³

Hearing devices for you

Explore our range of modern hearing devices. We offer comfortable solutions that transform hearing, from nearly invisible designs to robust AI technology.

Discover more in store Learn more

Consequences of not wearing hearing aids

On the other hand, research highlights the consequences of not wearing hearing aids with dementia. In fact, a 2024 study suggested consistent hearing aid use could mitigate the increased risk of mortality associated with hearing loss—in other words, inconsistent hearing aid use could increase mortality risk.⁴ However, more research is needed to explore the relationship between hearing aid usage and mortality.

Low hearing aid use and dementia are also linked to increased social isolation and reduced speech audibility—and it’s not uncommon for these factors to build on one another and increase the risk of depression and anxiety. The negative effects also extend to day-to-day activities, from missing critical information or sounds like sirens, to trouble keeping up with conversations, social misunderstandings, and potential conflict.

Despite these negative effects, it’s estimated that only 38% of the hearing-impaired population uses hearing aid devices.⁵

Schedule your free hearing evaluation today!

Book now

Practical tips for caregivers and families

The good news: There are ways to support loved ones as they navigate the challenges of hearing loss and aging, from communicating better to encouraging hearing aid usage.

Learn together. Read articles, do research, and consider hearing solutions together. Show your loved one support by learning alongside them.
Share how it affects you. Gently tell your loved one how their hearing loss impacts you, using “I” statements to explain how you’re feeling. For example: “I worry for your safety when you’re alone.”
Be physically present. Accompany your loved one to appointments if possible and spend time talking to them regularly.
Be patient. Hearing loss can be a deeply personal and emotional experience. Be patient as your loved one processes what they are thinking and feeling.

Learn more

Speak clearly and avoid shouting. Use a regular speech cadence and volume—shouting can make it more difficult for someone with hearing loss to understand you.
Face the person you’re speaking to. This ensures you have their attention and helps those who rely on lip reading to understand speech.
Optimize the environment. Try to speak in quiet environments with adequate lighting.
Rephrase instead of repeating. If someone doesn’t understand you the first time, rephrase your message to give them context or help them hear more clearly.

Learn more

Provide reassurance. Speak gently and calmly at a normal cadence and volume. Remind the person who you are, if needed, encourage conversation, and listen to their frustrations and emotions.
Take notes. Write down important information, appointments, to-do lists, and events in a notebook or calendar in a visible area.
Allow independence. For activities like dressing, eating, or bathing, allow your loved one to perform tasks as independently as possible, and maintain a consistent daily routine.

Learn more

Find an expert at any of our 1,600+ locations nationwide

Enter ZIP code

Change store

Sources

^1.Livingston, Gill, et al. “Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care: 2024 Report of the Lancet Standing Commission.” The Lancet, vol. 404, no. 10452, 1 July 2024, www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0/fulltext, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(24)01296-0.

^2.Authors, et al. Hearing Restorative Devices and Dementia: CADTH Horizon Scan. PubMed, Ottawa (ON), Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK595120/.

^3.Lin, Frank R, et al. “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.” The Lancet, vol. 402, no. 10404, 1 July 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01406-x.

^4.Brewster, Katharine K, and Carly Maitlin. “The Effect of Hearing Aids on Mortality.” The Lancet Healthy Longevity, vol. 5, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2024, pp. e10–e11, https://doi.org/10.1016/s2666-7568(23)00265-9.

^5.Marcos-Alonso, Susana, et al. “Factors Impacting the Use or Rejection of Hearing Aids—a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 12, no. 12, 13 June 2023, pp. 4030–4030, https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12124030.