Doctor names 1 health change that ‘can cut risk of dementia by half’

According to an ageing specialist, people can slash their risk of developing dementia by half by addressing one seemingly unrelated health issue that many would not typically associate with brain health. Dementia is a progressive condition that impairs brain function, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities such as memory and reasoning, as well as speech and emotional regulation over time.

In the UK, an estimated 944,000 people are believed to be living with dementia, as it affects roughly 1 in 11 people over the age of 65. This number is expected to grow to 1.4 million people by the year 2040 as the population ages

Health professionals have long provided evidence-based guidance on the various ways individuals can lower their chances of developing dementia, including adopting healthy lifestyle habits that protect both heart and brain.

Now, one ageing expert, Dr Steph, a physician specialising in Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, has revealed yet another method of reducing dementia risk — and it centres on your hearing.

In a video shared on TikTok, she said: “It’s just a reminder that the number one modifiable thing that you can do to prevent dementia is the correction of hearing loss.”

She went on to explain: “So if you have any hearing loss and you wear hearing aids, you will cut your risk of dementia by almost half.”

How does hearing loss affect your risk of dementia?

Untreated hearing loss substantially heightens the likelihood of developing dementia, with the risk increasing in line with the severity of the hearing impairment, according to Alzheimer’s Society. It has also been linked to a decline in memory and cognitive abilities.

This is because when those listening areas of the brain fall out of use, they may begin to deteriorate. Furthermore, the considerable mental effort required to process sound can ultimately exhaust the brain.

Hearing loss is also associated with social isolation and depression, which are themselves independent risk factors for dementia, Dr Steph noted in the caption of her post.

She also referenced a clinical trial by ACHIEVE (Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders), which discovered that wearing hearing aids reduced the rate of cognitive decline by 48% over a three-year period amongst older adults at greater risk of cognitive deterioration.

Nevertheless, the Alzheimer’s Society emphasised that while the connection between hearing loss and dementia remains incompletely understood, it does not necessarily mean that someone with hearing loss will go on to develop dementia – simply that their risk is elevated.

What are the signs of dementia?

According to the NHS, common early indicators of dementia include short-term memory loss, difficulty managing everyday tasks, and changes in communication or mood. These symptoms are frequently mild and may deteriorate only very slowly.

It is often referred to as “mild cognitive impairment” (MCI) as the symptoms are not serious enough to be diagnosed as dementia.

If you are concerned about any symptoms, or believe you or someone close to you has dementia, it is advised to contact your GP to arrange an appointment.