Does hearing loss cause dementia?

Hearing loss is linked to a higher risk of dementia, but that doesn't mean it directly causes it, and most people with hearing loss don't develop dementia. The 2024 Lancet Commission lists hearing loss as one of 14 risk factors that can potentially be changed.

Can hearing aids reduce the risk of dementia?

The evidence points that way but isn't proven. The 2024 Lancet Commission said the evidence that treating hearing loss lowers dementia risk is stronger than before, based mainly on observational studies. Those studies show a link, not proof of cause and effect.

I'm worried about memory problems. Should I get a hearing test?

Speak to your GP about any memory concerns first, since they can look at the full picture. It's worth mentioning any hearing difficulties too, because untreated hearing loss can affect how you do on memory tests. A hearing test is also worth doing on its own merits.

At what age should I get my hearing checked?

There's no single age, but hearing loss becomes much more common with age. According to the Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, it affects roughly half of people over 70 in Ireland. It's worth getting checked whenever you notice changes.

Hearing Loss and Dementia: What the Research Says

23 September 2026 · All About Hearing Team

Research has found that hearing loss is linked to a higher risk of developing dementia. The 2024 report of the Lancet Commission, a major international review of dementia research, lists hearing loss as one of 14 risk factors that can potentially be changed. It's a link worth knowing about, but it isn't a diagnosis or a prediction for any one person.

What the 2024 Lancet Commission found

The Commission estimated that around 45% of dementia cases could potentially be prevented or delayed if all 14 risk factors were eliminated, which is a theoretical maximum rather than something achievable in practice. The other factors include high blood pressure, smoking, physical inactivity and untreated vision loss.

The Commission estimates that hearing loss in midlife accounts for about 7% of dementia cases. That is jointly the largest share of any single factor, alongside high LDL cholesterol, followed by lower early-life education and social isolation in later life at 5% each.

What about hearing aids?

The Commission said the evidence that treating hearing loss lowers the risk of dementia is “now stronger than when our previous Commission report was published,” and that hearing aids appear particularly effective in people with hearing loss and other dementia risk factors.

It's worth being clear about what that evidence is. Most of it comes from observational studies, which follow people over time and compare those who use hearing aids with those who don't. That shows a link, not proof that hearing aids prevent dementia. People who use hearing aids may differ in other ways too.

Why the link might exist

Researchers are still working this out. Common theories include the extra mental effort of straining to hear, and the social isolation that can follow when conversations get harder to keep up with. It's also possible that the two share underlying causes, such as changes in blood vessels with age, or that very early brain changes affect hearing rather than the other way round. None of these is settled, so it's best to treat any confident single explanation with caution.

What this means for you

Hearing loss is common, and becomes more so with age. See our hearing loss statistics for the verified figures. If you've noticed signs of hearing loss, a hearing test is a sensible step on its own merits: it helps you follow conversations and stay connected, whatever the wider research eventually concludes. If you have concerns about memory or thinking, talk to your GP, who can look at the full picture.

Sources: Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission; The Lancet press release (EurekAlert).

Frequently asked questions

Does hearing loss cause dementia?: Hearing loss is linked to a higher risk of dementia, but that doesn't mean it directly causes it, and most people with hearing loss don't develop dementia. The 2024 Lancet Commission lists hearing loss as one of 14 risk factors that can potentially be changed.
Can hearing aids reduce the risk of dementia?: The evidence points that way but isn't proven. The 2024 Lancet Commission said the evidence that treating hearing loss lowers dementia risk is stronger than before, based mainly on observational studies. Those studies show a link, not proof of cause and effect.
I'm worried about memory problems. Should I get a hearing test?: Speak to your GP about any memory concerns first, since they can look at the full picture. It's worth mentioning any hearing difficulties too, because untreated hearing loss can affect how you do on memory tests. A hearing test is also worth doing on its own merits.
At what age should I get my hearing checked?: There's no single age, but hearing loss becomes much more common with age. According to the Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, it affects roughly half of people over 70 in Ireland. It's worth getting checked whenever you notice changes.

Booking for a parent? Our guide to talking to a parent about a hearing test may help, and we can arrange a home hearing test so they don't need to travel.

Arrange a hearing test

Leave your details and we'll call you back, usually the same day, to arrange an appointment at home or in a clinic.

← Back to Blog