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The vital link between hearing health and healthy aging

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A senior woman with short blond hair and retro black eyeglasses puts on a hearing aid while smiling.

As the global population ages, understanding and addressing the connection between hearing and cognitive health will be increasingly vital for promoting healthy aging and preventing cognitive decline.

In recognition of October as National Audiology Awareness Month, Nathan Michalak, Au.D., CCC-A, Director of Audiology at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS Medical Group at Old Dominion University, explains why untreated hearing loss can have a profound effect on senior adults’ quality of life.

Hearing allows us to engage with the world, facilitating communication, social interactions, and our ability to process and respond to environmental cues.

Hearing and cognitive health are deeply intertwined and play crucial roles in maintaining overall well-being, especially as we age. When hearing deteriorates, not only does it impair our ability to connect with others, but it also places an extra strain on the brain. This increased cognitive load can divert mental resources away from other essential functions, such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Over time, untreated hearing loss may contribute to cognitive decline, highlighting the importance of maintaining good auditory health.

A lack of auditory input can lead to changes in brain structure and function, potentially weakening areas responsible for other cognitive tasks.

Cognitive health encompasses various mental abilities such as memory, attention, language, and problem-solving. As we age, it's natural for some of these abilities to change, but sustaining cognitive health is critical for independence and quality of life. There is growing evidence that untreated hearing loss can accelerate cognitive decline and increase the risk of dementia. This may be due, in part, to the brain’s reduced stimulation when it no longer processes sounds effectively.

Maintaining good hearing health can therefore be seen as a protective measure for cognitive well-being.

Regular hearing assessments, the use of hearing aids, and active efforts to stay socially and mentally engaged are important strategies to support both auditory and cognitive health. Addressing hearing loss early can help reduce isolation, lower the cognitive load on the brain, and provide essential stimulation that can contribute to keeping the mind sharp.

To make an appointment for a hearing evaluation with Dr. Michalak or his colleagues at EVMS Audiology, or for information about research currently underway at EVMS regarding hearing loss and cognitive health, please call 757-388-6234.

Nathan Michalak Au.D., CCC-A, is the Director of Audiology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He earned both his BA in Communicative Disorders and Sciences and his Au.D. from University at Buffalo, then went on to complete his Clinical Externship at the Cleveland Clinic. He earned his Certified Clinical Competence in Audiology through American Speech Language Hearing Association and is a licensed Audiologist and Hearing Aid Specialist.