Hearing Loss as a Hidden Contributor to Dementia

Research links hearing loss in adults aged 40–65 to a higher risk of dementia. While hearing loss alone does not cause dementia, it significantly contributes to cognitive decline. Early detection and management, including hearing aids, can help reduce this risk.

According to Andrew McCall, Associate Professor of Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA, “there is a pretty strong association between the two conditions,” though the precise nature of the association remains unclear. McCall explains that reduced auditory input could impair brain function or that social isolation from hearing loss may contribute to cognitive decline.

Hearing loss affects between 8 million and 10 million people in Mexico, with INEGI reporting that 53% of those affected are women and 47% men. Higher-risk groups also include workers exposed to noise on the job, children with perinatal risk factors, and individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which can double the risk of hearing loss.

Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, often begins gradually and can be difficult to notice, states UCLA Health. Ruth López, Head of the Audiology Service for Adults, National Rehabilitation Institute Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra (INRLGII), notes that presbycusis is the most common cause of hearing impairment in Mexico, affecting one in three people over 60. 

This type of hearing loss is primarily sensorineural, resulting from the degeneration of tiny sensory cells in the inner ear that cannot regenerate. This peripheral hearing loss affects the ears’ ability to detect sounds and is strongly associated with increased dementia risk. In contrast, central hearing loss, which involves the brain's ability to process sound, may be an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease and is not corrected by hearing aids, highlights the Alzheimer’s Society. 

Hearing loss is also linked to workplace exposures, reports MBN. Among the most common occupational illnesses in Mexico are pneumoconiosis, hearing loss, chronic headaches, intoxications, and musculoskeletal disorders. These conditions are often caused or exacerbated by hazardous environments, insufficient protective equipment, or poor ergonomic design, according to Betterfly. Similarly, prolonged exposure to loud noise in industrial settings is a common cause of hearing loss, which not only affects safety and communication but may increase dementia risk over time.

In 2024, over 1.5 million workers in Mexico were unable to work due to workplace accidents, resulting in nearly MX$10.7 billion (US$629.4 million) in wage subsidies, highlighting the need for comprehensive occupational health strategies. Chronic exposure to health risks remains a major concern in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, logistics, and office-based work.

As part of National Hearing Health Week, observed from February 23 to 28, 2025, INRLGII urged the public to adopt preventive measures to protect themselves from hearing disorders, writes MBN.  Professional fitting by audiologists ensures optimal device adjustment, although some individuals may hesitate to use hearing aids due to discomfort or stigma. Yet, a Lancet study in 2023 demonstrated that individuals with hearing loss and additional dementia risk factors who used hearing aids were less likely to progress to dementia, underscoring the importance of integrated health management.