Can Untreated Hearing Loss Affect Memory and Dementia Risk?

16 September 2026

Yes. Untreated hearing loss is linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline, memory loss, and dementia, particularly in older adults. While those with normal hearing can follow conversations with little conscious effort, the brain of someone with hearing loss must work considerably harder to process degraded speech. Over time, this extra cognitive load can leave less capacity available for memory formation, make social situations frustrating, and produce measurable changes in the brain.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 1.5 billion people worldwide currently live with some degree of hearing loss. In the UK, RNID estimates that number at around 18 million people.

A review from PubMed found that individuals with hearing loss were 35% more likely to develop dementia than those without. The same study also revealed higher chances of mild cognitive impairment and cognitive decline.

This does not mean that hearing loss will inevitably lead to memory loss or dementia. But the accumulating evidence shows that hearing health is a part of general brain health, particularly in the case of chronic or untreated hearing loss. In this guide, we will explore how untreated hearing loss can affect brain health and how proper testing can prevent dementia risk.

How Hearing Loss Puts Extra Pressure on Memory and Cognition

The connection is rooted in cognitive load. When the brain receives incomplete or distorted sound signals, it relies on your working memory and attention to fill the gaps. These resources would have otherwise supported memory formation and clear thinking. Here are the key mechanisms:

1. Difficulty understanding information

If parts of a conversation are lost to hearing loss, the brain may never form a clear memory of them in the first place. What looks like forgetfulness is sometimes the result of never properly hearing, and therefore never interpreting, what was said.

2. Heightened listening efforts

People with hearing loss often need considerably more concentration to follow speech, especially in noisy environments. This additional effort, also known clinically as effortful listening, relies directly on working memory and attention resources, leaving fewer cognitive reserves available for retaining and processing information.

3. Reduced participation in conversations

Frequently asking people to repeat themselves, or struggling in group conversations, can make socialising harder. Over time, many people begin to withdraw from social situations, reducing the mental stimulation that regular interaction provides.

4. Difficulty concentrating

When hearing is impaired, concentrating in any listening situation, like conversations, TV programmes, meetings, or following directions, demands more mental effort. This can be misread by the person themselves, by family members, and even by GPs as inattention or early cognitive decline, when the underlying issue is untreated hearing loss.

5. Faster Decline in Verbal Memory

Hearing loss may affect more than a person’s ability to hear and understand conversations. A study Alzheimer’s & Dementia (2024) found that people with hearing loss experienced a faster decline in verbal memory and information processing speed. The research confirmed that the cognitive effects of untreated hearing loss extend well beyond difficulty following a conversation.

If someone is showing increasing signs of forgetfulness alongside growing hearing difficulties, a professional hearing assessment should be one of the first steps for overall cognitive wellbeing.

Is Untreated Hearing Loss a Risk Factor for Dementia?

Yes, untreated hearing loss can be a risk factor for dementia, but it is important to note that hearing loss does not directly cause dementia.

Research from PubMed shows: the more severe the hearing loss, the greater the risk of developing dementia.

The 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care formally recognises hearing loss as one of 14 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia across the life course. People with untreated hearing loss face a 37% increased risk of developing the condition, which is why hearing loss should not be shrugged off as an inevitable part of getting older.

Warning Signs That Hearing Loss May Be Affecting Your Daily Life

Several everyday changes may indicate that hearing loss is beginning to interfere with your communication and concentration. These include:

1. You frequently ask people to repeat themselves

If you constantly require people to repeat themselves, it could mean that sounds or speech are not being clearly understood.

2. You regularly increase the television or phone volume

Consistently turning up the volume higher than normal levels can be a sign of reduced hearing.

3. You have trouble understanding speech in noisy environments

Difficulty in understanding speech in restaurants, family gatherings, or other noisy environments can be an early sign of hearing loss.

4. You often misunderstand what people say

Hearing some words or phrases incorrectly can make conversations tiring and may lead to confusion and frustration.

5. You avoid social situations because you struggle to follow conversations

Withdrawing from conversations because you cannot follow them comfortably should not be ignored.

6. You notice hearing changes alongside memory problems

if both are happening together, a hearing assessment may help clarify whether hearing is a contributing factor.

Experiencing one or more of these signs does not automatically mean cognitive decline is occurring. In many cases, they can be fully explained by untreated hearing loss, and none of them should be dismissed as a normal or inevitable consequence of growing older.

Does Treating Hearing Loss Help Protect Memory?

Treating hearing loss early may support memory and healthy ageing, though it isn’t a guaranteed way to prevent dementia.

Evidence comes from the NIH-funded ACHIEVE trial, published in The Lancet (2023),

No effect across the whole group: treatment alone isn’t a universal protection against dementia
Nearly 50% slower decline in high-risk individuals: those with higher baseline risk saw a 48% reduction in cognitive decline versus the control group
Not a cure for dementia: the benefit was specific to those already at elevated risk
Real day-to-day benefits regardless: easier conversations, more social engagement, less listening fatigue
Earlier action means more options: the sooner hearing loss is treated, the more there is to protect

Should You Get a Hearing Test If You're Experiencing Memory Problems?

Yes. A hearing test may help if you’re experiencing memory problems alongside signs of hearing loss. Difficulty hearing can sometimes make a person appear distracted, confused, or forgetful when they’ve actually just missed parts of a conversation.

A hearing assessment can help decide whether hearing loss is contributing to communication difficulties, and whether the underlying cause might be earwax, an ear condition, or permanent hearing loss.

If hearing difficulties are treated but memory problems continue, become more noticeable, or worsen over time, further medical evaluation may be appropriate.

Learn more about when to get a hearing test in this blog: “Do You Need Ear Wax Removal or a Hearing Test? How To Tell the Difference?”

Can Earwax Build-Up Cause Problems That Look Like Hearing Loss?

Not every case of hearing difficulty is permanent or age-related. Sometimes the cause is as simple and treatable as earwax build-up, which can cause:

Muffled or reduced hearing
A feeling of fullness in the ear
Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing)
Ear discomfort
Difficulty understanding speech clearly

This matters because not all hearing issues stem from permanent hearing loss. Earwax blockage is one potentially treatable cause of reduced hearing. A professional ear examination can identify whether earwax is the cause or a hearing assessment is needed.

To learn more about how earwax build-up can cause hearing loss, read this blog: “Can Earwax Cause Hearing Loss? Facts You Should Know”.

How Direct Ear Care Can Help Protect Your Hearing Health?

Direct Ear Care offers professional ear and hearing care of HCPC-registered audiologists. Hearing test appointments begin with a full assessment of your hearing profile before any treatment is recommended; earwax removal appointments include a complimentary hearing check to see whether your hearing improves once wax is cleared, or whether a full hearing assessment is needed.

1. You Find Out Exactly What's Causing Your Symptoms

A professional hearing test with one of our HCPC-registered audiologists identifies whether your difficulties stem from hearing loss, earwax build-up, or another ear-related cause. Rather than guessing, you leave with clear answers and a plan.

2. You Could Hear Clearly Again in a Single Visit

If earwax is blocking your ear canal, our audiologists can remove it safely using microsuction or ear irrigation. Many patients notice an immediate improvement in hearing the same day.

3. You Stay Connected to the People and Conversations That Matter

If the assessment confirms hearing loss, we can recommend and fit hearing aids tailored to your hearing profile, lifestyle, and preferences. Better hearing means fewer missed words, less fatigue in conversations, and more confidence socially.

4. You Receive Expert Care Without Leaving Home

If visiting a clinic is difficult, our audiologists come to you. Mobile ear wax removal are available are available across Manchester, Bamber Bridge, and surrounding areas in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, covering hearing tests, earwax removal, and hearing aid fitting in the comfort of your own home.

5. Your Treatment Is Matched to Your Actual Problem

Hearing difficulties aren’t one-size-fits-all. By identifying the root cause first, we make sure you receive only the care you genuinely need whether that’s ear wax removal, hearing aids or simply reassurance that your hearing is within the normal range.

Conclusion

Untreated hearing loss can have a measurable impact on memory, cognitive function, and quality of life. Research consistently shows an association between hearing loss and an increased risk of dementia, particularly in older adults, and that risk appears to grow with the severity of the loss.

That’s why early hearing assessment matters. The sooner hearing difficulties are identified, the sooner the right support can be put in place to help protect your long-term brain health.

Concerned that your hearing may be affecting your memory or daily life?

Our HCPC-registered audiologists at Direct Ear Care can assess your hearing, identify whether hearing loss or earwax is a factor, and recommend the right care for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can untreated hearing loss cause memory problems?

Yes. When hearing loss goes untreated, the brain must work harder. Over time, this added cognitive load can make it harder to remember conversations, follow instructions, and concentrate. What often looks like forgetfulness may partly reflect the effort of struggling to hear, rather than a memory problem in the clinical sense.

How is hearing loss linked to dementia?

Hearing loss is consistently associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, though it has not been proven to directly cause it. A 2024 meta-analysis covering over 1.5 million adults found that people with hearing loss were 35% more likely to develop dementia than those without. The more severe your hearing loss, it increases the risk of dementia.

Do hearing aids help slow cognitive decline?

In certain people, yes. The NIH-funded ACHIEVE trial, published in The Lancet (2023), found that among adults already at higher risk of cognitive decline, hearing intervention was associated with an almost 50% reduction in the rate of decline over three years. Hearing aids are not a cure for dementia, and the benefit was only seen for higher-risk individuals; the evidence is significant. Hearing aids also reduce the daily effort of listening, support social engagement, and help people stay mentally active, all factors relevant to long-term brain health.

Can earwax cause problems that look like memory loss or confusion?

Yes, and it is more common than people realise. A build-up of earwax can block the ear canal and cause muffled hearing, difficulty following conversations, ear fullness, and tinnitus. When someone misses words repeatedly or seems disengaged, it can be mistaken for inattention or early cognitive decline, when the actual cause is a treatable blockage. Professional earwax removal, such as microsuction, can restore hearing in a single appointment and is often the first step worth ruling out.

What are the signs that hearing loss may be affecting my brain health?

Watch for a combination of hearing and cognitive symptoms occurring together. These include frequently asking people to repeat themselves; struggling to follow conversations in noisy environments; turning the TV volume higher than others need it; withdrawing from social situations because conversations feel exhausting; and noticing that your memory or concentration seems worse than it used to be. Experiencing several of these at once is a strong reason to book a hearing assessment rather than wait.

Written and medically reviewed by:

Ibrahim Musa
Audiologist

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