The Alzheimer’s Society predicts that by 2040, the number of people in the UK living with dementia will rise to 1.4 million. However, many risk factors for this neurodegenerative condition are entirely preventable and treatable. On Instagram, Dr Amir Khan highlighted popular preventative measures such as getting enough sleep and eating whole foods.
But he also drew attention to an under-recognised issue which is actually the “biggest modifiable risk factor for dementia”. This issue is hearing loss.
The ITV doctor explained: “Research shows that people with untreated hearing loss are up to four or five times more likely to develop dementia. But it’s not just about what you hear, it’s also about what your brain has to work harder to process.”
In simple terms, the doctor explained that there are three ways in which hearing can be linked to dementia and brain health. None of these have to do with what you’re actually listening to, but rather with ‘cognitive load’.
‘Cognitive load’ refers to how much mental effort your brain has to put into completing a task. For example, having a casual conversation in a quiet living room requires less cognitive load than trying to signal your friend at a deafening concert.
This is the first way that struggling to hear can increase your risk of dementia. Dr Khan highlighted: “When you can’t hear well, your brain works over time to decode sounds and speech.
“That extra effort pulls energy away from memory and thinking. It’s like running apps in the background that slow your phone down. The brain is too busy trying to hear to remember.”
He explained the second connection is brain shrinkage: “MRI scans show people with hearing loss may experience faster brain atrophy, that shrinkage, especially in areas involved in memory and language. Use it or lose it, so when the ears go quiet, the brain starts to fade too.”
Another similarity between hearing and vision loss impacting memory is social isolation due to challenges in social interaction, as per Dr Khan: “Hearing loss often leads to withdrawal from conversations and social life because you just can’t hear people talk and that’s a huge dementia risk.” He continued: “Loneliness and lack of mental stimulation are like fuel for cognitive decline.
“If you’re not connecting, you’re not protecting your brain.” Dr Khan emphasised the importance of addressing hearing issues early on to mitigate these risk factors and encouraged prompt action to lower the chances of dementia and improve current life quality.
He advised: “Get your hearing tested, use hearing aids if needed. Remember, modern ones are discrete and powerful.
“And stay socially and mentally active. Looking after your hearing is looking after your future brain.
“Don’t ignore hearing loss. It’s not just an age thing, it’s a brain health thing too.”