Dementia/Hearing loss may be a warning sign

 

A specific disorder, such as hearing loss, may be a warning sign of dementia, according to a study conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. Researchers found that in 32% of cases, hearing loss confirmed through audiometric testing was associated with a higher risk of developing dementia.

Dementia affects over 55 million people worldwide and, as with all neurodegenerative diseases, early diagnosis is essential to ensure a better quality of life and enable more effective interventions.

The connection between hearing and the brain

According to Dr. Jason Smith, lead author of the study, “Treating hearing loss could delay or even prevent a significant percentage of dementia cases in the population.”

Researchers explain that hearing loss can cause changes in areas of the brain associated with attention and executive functions, such as the frontal cortex and temporal lobe, areas that are also severely affected by dementia itself.

In line with this theory, neurologist Steven Allder explains to Medical News Today that hearing loss may increase the risk of dementia because:

“It reduces the auditory stimulation that the brain receives. This reduction contributes to social isolation, less cognitive engagement, and structural changes in the brain over time. When hearing is damaged, the brain is forced to use additional resources to process the missing information, leaving less capacity for memory and other cognitive functions.”

Data from the study

The study included people aged 66 to 90 (average age 74.9 years), who had no signs of dementia at the start. They were followed for 8 years and during this period:

Two-thirds of the participants had significant hearing loss.

Some of them were diagnosed with dementia during the study period.

Based on statistical analyses, 32% of dementia cases could have been avoided if hearing loss had been prevented or treated in time.

This does not mean that 32% of people with hearing loss will necessarily develop dementia, but it highlights the great importance of early diagnosis and intervention as part of a global preventive strategy against neurodegenerative diseases.