Scientists have discovered that hearing loss combined with feelings of loneliness significantly accelerates cognitive decline in older adults, potentially opening doors to a simple preventive step for millions at risk of dementia.
A major European study by the University of Geneva analysed data from 33,000 older adults across 12 countries, revealing that hearing impairment poses a particular threat to memory when coupled with loneliness.
People with hearing difficulties face two to three times higher risk of cognitive decline, new findings suggest. The combination of deafness and loneliness creates what researchers describe as a pathway to dementia, affecting millions as global hearing loss rates soar.
The WHO recorded that, in 2021, 57 million individuals have dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases every year.
Meanwhile, 430 million people currently require rehabilitation to address hearing loss.
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|Almost 2.5 billion people will experience hearing loss or impairment by 2050
As a result, medics at Alzheimer's Research UK are demanding that the Government includes a hearing checkup for those over 40 on the NHS.
Dr Isolde Radford, from the charity, told Mail Online: "We don't yet know if hearing loss directly causes dementia or whether it causes other conditions that, in turn, increase our risk. What we do know is that hearing loss, like dementia, isn't an inevitable part of ageing."
She added: "This simple step could help millions identify hearing loss earlier and take appropriate action, such as wearing hearing aids, that may help reduce their risk of dementia."
The team examined data from the large-scale SHARE study (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe), a longitudinal survey that has tracked the health and ageing of Europeans aged 50 and over since 2002.
"We used data from 12 countries, representing a sample of 33,000 people," assistant professor at the Lifespan Lab and director of the study, Andreas Ihle, explained.
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Participants underwent assessments every two years, covering various aspects of their daily lives, including activities, social connections, and perceptions. They also completed standardised tests measuring cognitive functions such as episodic memory.
The research identified three distinct profiles based on participants' degree of social isolation and perceived loneliness, revealing that hearing loss accelerates cognitive decline, particularly among those who feel lonely.
This effect occurred regardless of whether individuals were actually socially isolated.
"This is a relatively new approach," said Charikleia Lampraki, postdoctoral researcher in the Lifespan Lab at UNIGE's Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences.
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|The European study assessed 33,000 people across 12 countries
The findings reveal how communication difficulties and reduced alertness from hearing impairment create daily challenges that, when combined with loneliness, form a particularly damaging pathway to memory decline.
The World Health Organization predicts that nearly 2.5 billion people will experience hearing loss or impairment by 2050, with more than 25 per cent of people over 60 experiencing disabling hearing impairment.
If you have any health concerns, please consult your GP or equivalent medical professional for a full assessment to understand the most appropriate pathway for you.