Hearing loss is one of the biggest things linked to dementia that you can do something about. But nobody can honestly promise that hearing aids will stop dementia. Here is what the science really says, in plain words.
Written by Mo Helou, Principal Audiologist (Accredited Audiologist, Audiology Australia). Checked October 2026.
What we know
- There is a link. A big 2024 report in The Lancet says about 7 out of every 100 dementia cases are linked to hearing loss.
- Hearing aids look helpful. The same report says people with hearing loss should use hearing aids.
- The biggest study had mixed results. In the ACHIEVE study, hearing aids did not make a clear difference for the whole group after 3 years. But for people at higher risk, thinking skills dropped 48% slower.
What we do not know yet
- If hearing aids can stop dementia, or just slow things down for some people.
- How early you need to start.
- Who gets the most help. Scientists are still working on this.
Our honest advice: be careful of big promises
We sell hearing aids. So it would be easy for us to say they stop dementia. But that is not the truth. They might help, and the research looks good, but nobody can promise it. Not us, not anybody. Get hearing aids because they help you hear your family, enjoy talking with friends and stay safe. If they help your brain too, that is a bonus. If a clinic uses fear of dementia to make you buy, walk away.
Good reasons to treat hearing loss now
- You can follow what people say without guessing.
- You keep seeing friends and family, which is good for your brain too.
- You can hear alarms, cars and the phone.
- You feel less tired at the end of the day.
What to do next
- Get a proper hearing test.
- If you have hearing loss, try hearing aids and wear them every day.
- If you are worried about your memory, talk to your GP too.
Not sure where to start? Try our free online hearing check. It only takes a few minutes.
Our clinics
- Alexandria: 104/35 Doody St, Alexandria NSW 2015
- Merrylands: 333 Merrylands Rd, Merrylands NSW 2160
- Winston Hills: 176 Windsor Road, Winston Hills NSW 2153
- Campbelltown: Suite 14/42 Parkside Cres, Campbelltown NSW 2560
- Auburn: 85 St Hilliers Road, Auburn NSW 2144
Book a hearing test or call (02) 8530 7200.
Frequently asked questions
Can hearing aids stop dementia?
Nobody can promise that. Hearing loss is one of the biggest things linked to dementia that you can do something about. Treating it may help, and scientists are still finding out how much.
Is hearing loss linked to dementia?
Yes. A big 2024 report in The Lancet says about 7 out of every 100 dementia cases are linked to hearing loss. That makes it one of the biggest risks you can change.
What did the big hearing aid study find?
The ACHIEVE study (The Lancet, 2023) followed 977 people aged 70 to 84 for 3 years. For the whole group, hearing aids did not make a clear difference to memory and thinking. But for people who were at higher risk, thinking skills dropped 48% slower with hearing care. The study is still going.
Why could hearing loss affect the brain?
Scientists think a few things might happen. Your brain works extra hard to make sense of sound. The hearing parts of your brain get less exercise. And people with hearing loss often talk to others less. None of this is fully proven yet.
I am worried about my memory. Should I get my hearing checked?
Yes. If you do not hear something clearly, you cannot remember it. Hearing loss can look like a memory problem. A hearing test is quick and easy.
Sources: Livingston et al., Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission; Lin et al., ACHIEVE trial, The Lancet 2023; American Academy of Otolaryngology, ACHIEVE study results.
