It’s Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month, and there’s an important link between hearing health and dementia. Seniors with hearing loss are more likely to suffer from cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Here’s the numbers.

People with a mild (25-decibel) hearing loss are nearly 2X as likely to develop dementia as those with normal hearing

People with a moderate hearing loss are 3X as likely to develop dementia

People with a severe loss are 5X as likely to develop dementia

For every 10-decibel increase in hearing loss, the extra risk for dementia jumps by 20 percent. For people over the age of 60, 36 percent of their dementia risk is associated with hearing loss.

Many people who have mild hearing loss do not even realize it. A professional audiologist can quickly and easily perform a hearing evaluation. It can give you peace of mind. 

(Photo credit: Beltone)