No one wants to contemplate their dementia risk; after all, it's a disease that upends retirement planning and can shatter families. However, dementia is growing more prevalent as the population ages. Worldwide, someone develops dementia every three seconds, and the lifetime risk of dementia over age 55 could be as high as 42%.
The good news (yes, there is good news) is that doctors and scientists are learning more about this debilitating condition every day, including new ways to treat and prevent it.
Multiple studies have recently shown that a simple device can significantly reduce your risk: a hearing aid. We've broken down why it's important and how you can get one for less money.
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Hearing aids can lower dementia risk
Research has long demonstrated a potential link between hearing loss and dementia, with epidemiological studies in the past decade revealing that it might be the most significant known risk factor.
Building on the existing data, a large-scale study of 1,000 older adults published in The Lancet in 2023 evaluated the impact of treating hearing loss on dementia risk.
Frank Lin (MD, PhD), and lead author of the study, explained that among older and sicker study participants with the greatest risk of dementia, those who received hearing aids experienced around half the cognitive decline over three years compared with those who received a control intervention.
New research has also bolstered the theory that there's a causal connection between hearing loss and dementia risk.
The study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, examined the medical records of nearly 3,000 participants in a large-scale National Institutes of Health (NIH) study started 38 years ago to understand the causes of atherosclerosis and heart disease.
A review of records for participants with a mean age of 75 who had confirmed hearing loss revealed that nearly one in three new dementia cases could be "attributed to clinically significant hearing loss."
Why hearing loss is tied to dementia risk
So, why is the link between hearing loss and dementia so strong?
"Untreated hearing loss is a significant risk factor for dementia because it reduces brain stimulation and often results in individuals withdrawing from social engagement, which is especially concerning, as social connection is protective against cognitive decline," explained Diane Ty, managing director, Future of Aging, Milken Institute Health at Milken Institute. "Hearing loss is also linked to shrinkage in the very areas of the brain critical for memory."
Authors of the studies mentioned above addressed these potential issues in detail. The researchers identified specific risk factors associated with untreated hearing loss, including the following key issues:
- Hearing loss causes an increase in social isolation and a decline in activities that provide cognitive enrichment, both of which have been linked to a higher dementia risk.
- When your brain can't get a clear sound from your ear, your brain becomes strained. As it reallocates resources to help with hearing, this comes at the expense of thinking and memory abilities and increases the brain's risk of other pathologies. This is called the cognitive load hypothesis.
- Hearing loss itself can affect the function and structure of the brain, causing it to atrophy faster due to reduced auditory stimulation
"All three theories suggest that treating hearing loss with something as simple as using a hearing aid could directly modify or affect those pathways and reduce the risk of cognitive decline," explained Lin.
Erika Hutz, DO, a geriatrician at Endeavor Health, also touted these benefits, explaining that "by improving access to clear sound, hearing aids reduce the mental effort required to listen and make it easier to participate in conversations and social activities. This renewed engagement helps keep auditory pathways active and supports overall brain health."
With so many compelling benefits, there's little to lose and a lot to gain by getting a hearing aid if you're experiencing hearing challenges, particularly because of the link between hearing loss and loneliness and social isolation, which, by themselves, can have a devastating impact on your overall health and well-being.
Using a hearing aid is one of the easiest ways to protect your brain.
"Among the 14 modifiable factors to reduce dementia risk, treating hearing loss is considered relatively easier to address, as one can be prescribed a hearing aid or purchase one over-the-counter as a result of the FDA’s August 2022 approval," Ty said. "By comparison, other modifiable risk factors require sustained lifestyle changes such as maintaining a nutrient-dense diet, engaging in regular physical exercise, or improving sleep habits."
How to get an affordable hearing aid
If you use an Apple iPhone, you can use AirPods Pro (in-ear earphones or earbuds) as hearing aids. The FDA approved their use for mild to moderate hearing loss in 2024. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 and 3 earbuds are the only earbuds with FDA approval.
You can take a hearing test and learn how to set up the earbuds as hearing aids on the Apple website. Some users have noted that they feel less self-conscious using earbuds, since no one can tell they're being used as hearing aids. AirPods also provide hearing protection, according to Tom's Guide. (Note that the AirPods 3 also have a heart rate monitor if you are trying to track and lower your resting heart rate.)
One reviewer found that AirPods are great for a few hours, but may become uncomfortable after that.
If you're under 65 or still on private insurance and not on Medicare, check with your insurance provider first. While many states require private insurance to cover hearing aids for children, only five states (Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island) require it for adults.
If you're 65 or older. Unfortunately, Medicare does not provide coverage for hearing aids, so some older Americans may struggle to access this intervention due to cost burdens. Some other affordable options listed here may help you get the hearing aids you need.
Many Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing aids, so shopping for one during open enrollment could be a solution if you need hearing intervention in the coming year.
If you're on Medicaid, your hearing aids might be at least partially covered by Medicaid, depending on your state.
If you are a veteran, you might have hearing aid coverage through the Veterans' Administration (VA) insurance or VA disability benefits. Veterans who have tinnitus may also qualify for hearing aids.
Tax strategies. You can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for your hearing aids and lower your tax burden, or if you itemize your deductions, you can deduct the cost of hearing aids and related expenses.
Other discounts. Your state might offer an assistance program; the Hearing Loss Association of America recommends seeking out vocational rehabilitation services.
Big-box stores such as Costco or Amazon can also offer more affordable hearing aid products. However, you should ask your doctor about the best options for getting a quality device that provides the support you need.
Over-the-counter (OTC) vs prescription hearing aids. OTC hearing aids are generally for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Johns Hopkins has a guide to the differences, and you should ask your doctor which option is right for you.
It's worth researching to find a solution, as getting the right hearing aid could increase your quality of life and decrease your risk of dementia.
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