It’s likely you know someone who has trouble hearing. Maybe they’re always raising the volume on the television, asking you to repeat yourself, or withdrawing from conversations altogether.
Hearing loss is a common phenomenon, particularly in older adults. Among U.S. adults age 65 and older, 31.1 percent experience hearing loss; for people 75 and older, the number rises to 40.3 percent, according to the National Council on Aging.
And research shows that when hearing loss goes untreated, it can have significant physical and cognitive implications.
Cognitive Decline and Social Isolation
Studies show that untreated long-term hearing loss puts people at higher risk for dementia and other cognitive disorders. One 2023 study indicates that midlife hearing loss is twice as likely to cause dementia as any other risk factor.
“The hearing loss forces the brain to work harder in terms of processing sounds and speech, which can lead to mental fatigue, and then subsequently leads to less capacity for other tasks such as memory and problem-solving,” says Dr. Nitinkumar Patel, an otolaryngologist with the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group.
“We’re just beginning to kind of see some data suggesting that intervening for hearing loss can help with cognitive delay or cognitive performance. I think we’re still learning a lot about that, but I do think there is some developing data that suggests that there’s an association,” says Dr. Michael Hoa, an otolaryngologist with MedStar Health.
Hoa points to another significant factor that could go hand-in-hand with the cognitive impacts: social isolation.
It’s common for hearing loss patients to withdraw from social situations and limit communication with loved ones when it becomes difficult to hear. “They just stop going out because they just can’t understand and they can’t interact, and so they retreat from life,” Hoa says.
This can contribute to feelings of loneliness and depression that reduce a person’s quality of life. Social isolation itself is another major risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia.
“Social engagement is certainly very important to maintain cognitive function, and that reduced interaction may certainly accelerate cognitive decline quite significantly,” Patel says.
“Rehabilitating hearing loss can help people be more engaged in their social lives, and I think that is part of what we see about helping with cognitive decline,” Hoa says.
Why Does Hearing Loss Go Untreated?
According to the National Council on Aging, only 16 percent of people ages 16 to 69 who need hearing aids actually use them. There are a few reasons why someone may not seek treatment for hearing loss right away. Some people experience a social stigma around hearing aids.
“I’ve seen it plenty of times, where there is a perception that they will not be treated the same way if they’re seen wearing a hearing aid,” Hoa says.
Some others, Patel says, may see hearing loss as “a natural part of aging” and therefore not seek treatment.
Additional barriers include the cost of treatment and lack of access to medical care, Hoa says.
“Maybe they haven’t even seen a doctor. There’s a good proportion of our population who don’t see doctors regularly. So, some of this might be missed in that way,” Hoa says.
Knowing the Signs
It’s important to know the signs of hearing loss — in yourself and in loved ones. One of the first indicators is trouble hearing in “difficult” situations, such as crowded restaurants or social gatherings. “That’s when most people start noticing they’re having difficulties understanding conversational points,” Patel says.
Other indicators are if someone is gradually increasing the volume on their TV, phone, or other electronics in order to hear. They may also avoid starting conversations or attending social gatherings when they are struggling to communicate.
Tinnitus — or ringing in the ears — is another clear sign of hearing loss. It’s not always a ringing, but could sometimes be described as a clicking, hissing, or buzzing sound in your ears. “Any of those signs, especially the increased difficulty in noisy situations, should warrant a work-up,” Patel says.
What to Do
The good news is that research shows that using hearing aids equalizes the risk of dementia. Both Patel and Hoa stress the importance of getting regular hearing tests so issues can be addressed as soon as possible.
There is also a decreasing stigma around hearing aids, and progress has been made to make them more affordable.
Some of this can be attributed to more information on the topic becoming accessible online, Patel says. “There’s more information about hearing loss via social media and all the social outlets than there was in the past. Patients have access to this information, and oftentimes that information makes suggestions on how to treat the hearing loss or seek medical care.”
One significant development is the introduction of over-the-counter hearing aids, which are often less expensive than the previous models. Plus, Apple AirPods have recently received FDA approval to be used as hearing aids for mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
“Everybody wears AirPods nowadays, they’re part of our social fabric,” Patel says. “I don’t think anyone will think twice if you’re wearing AirPods.”
It is still important to note that, even when using a hearing aid that can be purchased over the counter, you should always get a hearing test first. An audiologist will be able to help determine the level of hearing loss and its cause, then help you pick out the appropriate treatment.
Early protective measures can also help reduce the chance of developing hearing loss. These include limiting exposure to loud noises, using protective gear like earplugs in loud environments, and never inserting small objects (including cotton-tipped swabs) into your ears.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our April Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
