Can Hearing Loss Cause Dementia? What Research Shows

Research has found an association between hearing loss and cognitive decline, but this does not prove that hearing loss directly causes dementia. Hearing aids are not proven to prevent or treat dementia. What the research does suggest is that hearing difficulty is worth taking seriously — both for communication and for overall wellbeing.

Is Hearing Loss Linked to Dementia?

Several large studies have found that people with hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia than those without. A frequently cited body of research from Johns Hopkins University found that people with hearing loss had higher rates of cognitive decline over time compared to those with normal hearing, with the association becoming stronger at greater degrees of hearing loss.

The 2020 Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention identified hearing loss as one of several modifiable risk factors associated with dementia, estimating it may account for around 8% of dementia cases globally. Other factors on the same list include physical inactivity, smoking, depression, and social isolation.

These findings are significant — but they describe an association, not a proven causal relationship.

Association Does Not Prove Cause

It is important to be clear about what this research does and does not show. An association between two conditions means they tend to occur together more often than chance would predict. It does not mean one causes the other.

People with hearing loss may also be more likely to be socially isolated, less physically active, or have other health conditions that independently affect cognitive health. Researchers are still working to understand which factors are driving the association and to what degree.

Saying “hearing loss causes dementia” goes beyond what the current evidence supports.

Why Researchers Are Studying the Connection

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain why hearing loss and cognitive decline might be related:

• Cognitive load: When hearing is impaired, the brain may work harder to process sound, potentially diverting resources from other cognitive functions. This is a hypothesis, not an established mechanism.
• Social isolation: Hearing difficulty can lead people to withdraw from conversations and social activities. Social isolation is itself associated with cognitive decline.
• Reduced auditory stimulation: Some researchers have proposed that less auditory input over time may affect brain regions involved in memory and language, though this remains an area of active study.

None of these mechanisms have been definitively proven in humans. Research is ongoing.

What the ACHIEVE Study Found

The ACHIEVE trial (Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders), published in The Lancet in 2023, was a large randomized controlled trial that examined whether hearing intervention could slow cognitive decline in older adults.

The overall result: the trial did not find a statistically significant difference in cognitive decline across the full study population between the hearing intervention group and the control group.

A subgroup of participants who were at higher baseline risk for cognitive decline showed a possible benefit from hearing intervention — a reduction in the rate of cognitive decline that researchers described as meaningful. However, subgroup findings require cautious interpretation and do not establish that hearing aids prevent dementia in the general population.

The ACHIEVE study is an important contribution to this field, but it does not prove that hearing aids prevent dementia.

Can Hearing Aids Prevent Dementia?

No. Hearing aids are not approved or proven as a treatment or prevention method for dementia. There is currently no intervention — including hearing aids — that has been proven to prevent dementia.

What hearing aids can do is support communication and daily listening for people with appropriate levels of hearing difficulty. If addressing hearing difficulty also has some benefit for cognitive health in certain individuals, that would be a secondary effect — not a proven outcome.

Anyone who tells you that buying a hearing aid will protect your brain or reduce your dementia risk is making a claim that goes beyond what the current evidence supports.

What Hearing Aids Can and Cannot Do

Hearing aids can:

• Amplify sound to make hearing easier for people with mild to moderate hearing difficulty
• Support participation in conversations and social situations
• Reduce listening effort in everyday environments
• Improve quality of life for appropriate users

Hearing aids cannot:

• Cure or treat hearing loss
• Prevent or treat dementia
• Reverse cognitive decline
• Guarantee any specific health outcome

OTC hearing aids are designed for adults aged 18 or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing difficulty. They are not medical devices for cognitive health. For more on what to look for, see our hearing aid buying guide.

When to Seek a Hearing Evaluation

If you or a family member has been noticing signs of hearing difficulty — frequently asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the TV, struggling to follow conversations in noisy environments — a hearing evaluation is a reasonable next step.

A professional evaluation can confirm whether hearing difficulty is present, identify its degree, and help determine whether a hearing aid is appropriate. See our guide on what level of hearing difficulty may benefit from a hearing aid.

You should consult a physician or hearing professional promptly if you experience sudden hearing changes, hearing difficulty in only one ear, ear pain, discharge, or dizziness. These symptoms may indicate a medical condition that requires evaluation.

For more on the broader effects of untreated hearing difficulty, see: What Happens If You Don’t Address Hearing Difficulty?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hearing loss cause dementia?

Research has found an association between hearing loss and cognitive decline, but association does not prove causation. Researchers are still studying the relationship and the mechanisms involved. It is not accurate to say that hearing loss causes dementia.

Will getting a hearing aid protect my brain?

Hearing aids are not proven to protect cognitive health or prevent dementia. They are designed to support hearing and communication for people with appropriate levels of hearing difficulty. Any potential secondary effects on cognitive health remain an area of ongoing research.

What did the ACHIEVE study actually find?

The ACHIEVE trial did not find a significant difference in cognitive decline across the overall study population. A subgroup at higher baseline risk showed a possible benefit from hearing intervention, but this does not establish that hearing aids prevent dementia in the general population.

Should I get a hearing aid to reduce my dementia risk?

If you have hearing difficulty, addressing it is worthwhile for communication and quality of life. Whether it has any effect on cognitive health is uncertain. A professional hearing evaluation is the appropriate starting point if you have concerns about your hearing.

The Bottom Line

Research has found an association between hearing loss and cognitive decline. This association is worth taking seriously — but it does not mean hearing loss causes dementia, and it does not mean hearing aids prevent dementia.

Hearing aids can support communication and daily listening for people with mild to moderate hearing difficulty. That is a meaningful benefit on its own. If you have concerns about your hearing, a professional evaluation is the most useful first step.

If you’re ready to learn more about OTC hearing aid options, our hearing aid buying guide explains what to look for and how to choose the right style for your needs.