Why it's important to protect your hearing as you age – and what experts suggest
'There are already more than enough established benefits related to hearing care,' says Reed, a faculty member of the NYU Langone Health Optimal Aging Institute.
What's especially important about supporting hearing health is the effect it has on keeping people engaged in the world, Reed explains. Here's what experts recommend in order to support your hearing as you age.
Hearing loss can result from a wide range of genetic and environmental factors, such as chronic diseases and smoking. Some also experience age-related hearing loss, called presbycusis.
Hearing loss is 'not about volume', Reed explains. Instead, it's a clarity issue. We lose our hearing at different frequencies at different rates, which can make sounds garbled.
There is a tendency to 'normalize hearing loss as we age to some extent', says Reed. Other conditions can seem more pressing, and hearing loss becomes a low priority. There can be 'downstream effects' in a healthcare context because hearing loss can hinder patient-provider communication, says Reed.
Early research suggests that hearing loss is associated with increased cognitive decline and an increased risk of new cases of dementia, although further studies are needed to understand this connection. Researchers have not, however, found a cause-and-effect relationship between hearing loss and dementia.
Reed and his colleagues wanted to calculate the number of cases of dementia there could be in a population if a potential risk factor, in this case hearing loss, was eliminated. They used a sample of nearly 3,000 adults aged 66 to 90 and found 32% of the dementia risk in the sample group was potentially associated with audiometric hearing loss (hearing loss measured through testing).
According to the authors, these results suggest that treating hearing loss may delay the onset of dementia in some older adults. However, this research cannot establish whether hearing loss causes dementia, explains co-author Jason Smith, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of North Carolina.
One potential reason hearing loss is associated with cognitive changes is that it can lead to more social isolation, which may strain the brain and affect memory, says Reed. Another theory is that because auditory signals stimulate the brain, the lack of stimulation caused by hearing loss can lead to accelerated brain atrophy.
If hearing problems are linked to an increased risk of dementia, are there ways to reduce that risk? An influential 2020 Lancet report recommended the use of hearing aids and protecting ears from excessive noise exposure. A 2023 analysis found a connection between the use of devices like hearing aids and a decreased risk of cognitive decline. However, further research is needed.
Hearing loss is not an inevitable part of ageing. But certain factors, such as age-related changes to the inner ear and auditory nerve, as well as genetics, are beyond our control.
We can still mitigate the likelihood of damage from other causes. For example, we can manage conditions associated with hearing loss, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. We can also limit exposure to sources of damaging noise, like construction equipment, lawn mowers, motorcycles and loud music. Small actions, like protecting your hearing at a loud concert with over-ear headphones, which Reed prefers to earplugs, can have a big impact.
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'A healthy lifestyle and healthy listening habits can go a long way,' says Reed.
Reed also recommends that people start getting their hearing tested in their late 30s or 40s. Establishing a baseline can help you identify changes over time, and indicate if and when new habits might be useful. The longer you live with impaired hearing, the harder it is to adjust to tools like hearing aids.
Several treatments and devices can help alleviate hearing loss, but their effectiveness depends on the individual. If you suspect you have hearing issues, it's best to have your hearing checked and discuss options with your healthcare provider.
Hearing aids can be purchased over-the-counter or with a prescription. Reed says learning how to wear them takes time and practice. There's a critical public health need to expand coverage for these tools, says Smith, because it's well-established that hearing aids can improve quality of life.
While studies haven't proven that hearing aids will delay dementia, scientists are intrigued by their potential to support brain health.
'The idea is that, in theory, if a person uses hearing aids, communication becomes easier and you lower the burden of cognitive load,' says Reed. 'You're stimulating the brain with more auditory signals.'
Staying engaged in social networks is key to maintaining mental and physical wellbeing, says Reed. In a 2025 study, Reed and colleagues found that, among people with hearing loss, participants who received hearing aids and were counseled on their use experienced less loneliness and social isolation. They also had more varied types of connections, such as friends, family and acquaintances.
Similarly, assistive technologies may help. These range widely in function and design, but generally amplify sound, reduce background noise, and improve communication. For example, apps that convert speech to text can assist with phone calls, and personal amplifiers can enhance hearing in conversations. People with mild to moderate hearing loss may find some relief in settings like crowded restaurants through items like the Apple AirPods Pro 2, which feature a built-in hearing aid, says Reed.
In some instances, what can help a person manage hearing loss best is how they are supported by their community. There's a need for more equitable environments that support people with sensory health needs, says Smith.
'Some communication tips can go really far,' says Reed. 'Good communication is looking someone in the face. It's speaking slowly. It's about rephrasing and adding context.'
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