Hearing Loss Increases Dementia Risk by 60 Percent

Illustration of hearing loss. (Pexels)

JAKARTA - Damage to the ears that causes hearing loss not only lowers a person's quality of life, but also increases the risk of dementia later in life.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, elderly adults who had untreated hearing loss had a 60 percent higher prevalence of dementia.

"We are not sure exactly why untreated hearing loss is associated with dementia, but it is a risk factor," said Jessica Caldwell, Ph.D., director of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement Prevention Center, quoted from the Cleveland Clinic, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Hearing loss is not just a risk factor related to dementia. If ignored, the impact can still be felt, even after memory problems or dementia occur.

This also has the potential to accelerate cognitive decline for people with dementia. Although the exact cause is not yet known, researchers have confirmed a clear relationship between hearing loss and dementia.

"One of the triggers is likely because carriers of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's can also damage the sensory system, ranging from hearing, vision, to smell," explained Dr. Dale Bredesen, MD.

Then another factor that links dementia with hearing loss is the tendency of hearing impaired patients to withdraw from social interactions. This isolation can increase the risk of dementia.

"In short, hearing loss means reduced sensory input and reduced stimulation to the brain, and that leads to decline," Caldwell explained.

Therefore, it is very important for everyone to do a hearing test every year to monitor changes that occur, especially those who work in noisy environments such as the entertainment or construction industries.

In addition, although some types of hearing loss due to age factors may be unavoidable, there are various ways to maintain hearing function.

Starting from keeping the volume of the earbuds low, avoiding the habit of putting cotton swabs or any other objects into the ears, quitting smoking, regular exercise, to implementing a healthy diet.