Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline: Understanding the Critical Connection
Madison Levine, BC - HIS
Recent research has revealed a startling connection between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline that demands our attention. In a landmark study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgeryon April 17, 2025, researchers found that 32% of eight-year incident dementia cases could be attributed to audiometric hearing loss. This isn’t based on self-reported hearing problems, but actual measured hearing loss—meaning many people may be at risk without even realizing it.
Madison Levine, BC-HIS, founder of Levine Hearing and a second-generation hearing healthcare professional, emphasizes that hearing health has become one of the most significant modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline. “We are seeing a ton of research come out that’s showing hearing care has a connection to our cognitive health,” Madison explains, highlighting why this connection needs more attention in our health-conscious society. While people enthusiastically discuss cold plunging and supplements to improve their “health span,” the critical role of hearing care often goes unmentioned despite substantial supporting research.
The relationship between hearing and cognition operates like a complex switchboard of interconnected factors. When we can’t hear properly, our brains work overtime trying to fill in gaps, diverting cognitive resources from other important functions. This cognitive load takes a toll over time, potentially accelerating cognitive decline. As Madison aptly points out, “If you can’t hear, you need to correct your hearing loss,” placing hearing treatment on the same level of importance as diet, exercise, and other preventative health measures. Yet despite its significance, hearing healthcare rarely makes the top of preventative health lists in mainstream media.
For hearing healthcare professionals, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity to reshape public understanding. Madison’s approach focuses on education rather than traditional marketing—delivering valuable information through community talks, media appearances, and personalized patient communications. This strategy builds trust and positions hearing care as a critical health intervention rather than simply a commercial transaction. “I learned a long time ago that marketing and PR are two very different things,” Madison notes, emphasizing that education-based public relations have proven more effective in communicating the cognitive stakes of hearing health.
The impact of untreated hearing loss extends far beyond just missing sounds—it affects social interactions, mental health, and overall quality of life. When someone gradually withdraws from conversations and gatherings because they struggle to hear, they lose the cognitive stimulation that social engagement provides. This social isolation further compounds the risk of cognitive decline, creating a concerning cycle. That’s why Madison often directs her educational efforts not just at those with hearing loss, but at their family members and friends who may notice these changes first.
“The person I’m speaking to is not always the person with hearing loss,” she explains.
As Better Hearing Month reminds us, hearing healthcare has evolved significantly from simply amplifying sound to understanding the complex relationship between hearing, brain health, and overall wellness. Hearing technology has advanced remarkably, but the most important evolution may be in our understanding that “we don’t necessarily hear with our ears, we hear with our brain.” This perspective shift reinforces that hearing healthcare isn’t about selling devices—it’s about preserving cognitive function and quality of life. With Madison’s upcoming TEDx talk on the “ear-brain connection,” there’s hope for a unified national campaign that will finally give this crucial health link the attention it deserves.