Cognition and Hearing Loss

Hearing better can help you think better

According to Statistics Canada, approximately 750,000 Canadians are living with a form of dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease was identified as the 9th leading cause of deaths in Canada in 2022.1 It is projected that by 2031, the total annual health care costs for Canadians with dementia could be $16.6 billion.

The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care identified 12 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia which accounted for 40% of all dementia cases. Of those 12, hearing loss is the single largest potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia.

In 2023, the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) and Evaluation of Hearing Aid and Cognitive Effects (ENHANCE) studies provide further insight into the association between cognition and hearing loss. These studies support the treatment of hearing impairment as a clinical intervention for addressing the global epidemic of cognitive decline and dementia.

Current evidence and ongoing research suggests that older adults at risk of cognitive decline and dementia may benefit from audiological  intervention such as hearing aids and assistive listening devices.

Facts & Stats