A doctor has explained that treating a common health problem could cut your dementia risk by almost half – with a clinical trial saying corrections reduced cognitive decline by 48%
07:57, 30 Aug 2026Updated 09:44, 30 Aug 2026
Correcting a common health issue can significantly reduce someone’s risk of developing dementia (stock image)(Image: GETTY)
While there are a lot of factors that can determine whether or not someone develops dementia, including genetics, lifestyle, and any underlying diseases and conditions. While some of these are unavoidable, there are some ways you can help your body prevent developing different variations of dementia.
Dementia is a progressive condition affecting brain function, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities including memory and reasoning, as well as speech and emotions over time. Research shows that more than 944,000 people across the UK are living with dementia, meaning roughly 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK has the condition.
Health experts have long highlighted evidence-based recommendations on different ways individuals can lower their dementia risk, which involves adopting healthy lifestyle habits that safeguard both your heart and brain – such as lowering your blood pressure.
But now, one ageing expert called Dr Steph, a doctor who specialises in Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, has revealed another way you can cut your dementia risk — and it has to do with 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.”
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She added: “So if you have any hearing loss and you wear hearing aids, you will cut your risk of dementia by almost half.”
Hearing loss and dementia
Untreated hearing loss significantly raises the likelihood of developing dementia, with the risk growing in line with the severity of the hearing impairment, according to the Alzheimer’s Society. It has also been linked to a decline in memory and cognitive abilities.
This is because when those listening parts of the brain fall out of use, those regions can begin to deteriorate. Furthermore, the brain can become exhausted from expending so much mental energy simply trying to process sound.
Hearing loss is also closely associated with social isolation and depression, both of which are 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 cut the rate of cognitive decline by 48% over a three-year period amongst older adults who were at greater risk of cognitive deterioration.
Nevertheless, the Alzheimer’s Society stressed that while the connection between hearing loss and dementia is not yet fully 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 early 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 tend to be mild and may deteriorate only very slowly over time.
The condition is frequently referred to as “mild cognitive impairment” (MCI) because the symptoms aren’t serious enough to warrant a dementia diagnosis.
If you’re concerned about any symptoms, or suspect you or a loved one may have dementia, it’s advisable to get in touch with your GP to arrange an appointment.