Kari kept nodding through dinner but missed half the conversation. She blamed tiredness. What she didn’t realise was that harder listening can strain memory, and new studies are showing just how deep that connection runs.
When listening is hard, memory pays the bill.
What the research shows
Several major studies published in 2025 confirm a strong link between hearing and memory:
- A JAMA Neurology study found that people with hearing loss who used hearing aids had a significantly lower risk of dementia, particularly those who began using them before age 70
[JAMA news brief].
- A cohort study in JAMA Otolaryngology estimated that up to 32% of dementia cases in certain populations could be tied to untreated hearing loss.
- A Nature Aging paper found that midlife hearing loss (before age 60) is modestly associated with later dementia risk, reinforcing the idea that early care matters.
Three quick questions
-- Do you turn up the TV more than you used to?
-- Do busy cafés or family dinners tire you out?
-- Do you avoid group conversations because they feel like work?
If you said yes to any, it may be time to check your hearing.
What we learn from SuperAgers
The so-called SuperAgers are people in their 80s with memory as sharp as those 20 to 30 years younger. The Northwestern University SuperAging Program has tracked these individuals for 25 years, showing that they often have thicker cortexes in key brain areas compared to typical older adults.
A 2025 study in GeroScience found that SuperAgers’ biological brain age, measured with a tool called BrainAGE, was significantly younger than their chronological age (read here).
They stay socially active. When hearing gets in the way, people pull back, and the brain loses practice. Supporting clear hearing helps keep those connections strong and may be one of the keys to staying mentally sharp.
Why hearing loss strains the brain
Hearing isn’t just about your ears. It’s about your brain making sense of sound. When hearing is reduced, your brain has to work harder to fill in the gaps, predict missing words, and filter background noise.
That extra effort, often called listening fatigue, comes at a cost. Over time, the cognitive load may limit how much energy your brain has left for memory, attention, and other important functions.
Myth |
Fact |
Hearing loss is only about volume. |
Clarity and effort matter. Your brain fills gaps and tires. |
If I’m not old, I’m not at risk. |
Midlife hearing issues are linked to later memory problems. |
Nothing really helps. |
Treating hearing loss is linked with lower dementia risk. |
Small actions add up. Here is where to start:
-- Get your hearing checked early. Even an app-based test gives you a baseline.
-- Act sooner rather than later. Studies show earlier intervention may reduce risk.
-- Stay socially connected. Don’t avoid conversations; use tools that make listening easier.
-- Control your environment. Pick quieter spots, reduce background
-- noise, and use quality earbuds instead of laptop speakers.
-- Maintain brain-healthy habits. Sleep, exercise, diet, and social connection all support memory.
A hopeful outlook
After a simple hearing check in the Mobile Ears app, Kari understood her profile and tried Reevo at Sunday lunch. She stayed in the conversation and drove home with energy to spare.
The connection between hearing and memory is no longer a mystery. With strong evidence that treating hearing loss can lower dementia risk, the message is clear: caring for your ears also means caring for your brain.
And today, there are no excuses for waiting. Tools are more accessible than ever:
-- The Mobile Ears app includes a built-in hearing test, so you can quickly understand your hearing profile.
-- Reevo makes speech amplification effortless. It’s portable, simple to use, and keeps conversations clear without complexity.
Good hearing care keeps you in the room. That is good for memory, and good for life.