What hearing loss can mean for your health – beyond just your ears

Over 3.5 million Australians live with some level of hearing loss. It’s a number that’s set to double by the year 2060, as our population ages.

You might not be surprised by the telltale signs of hearing loss – missing the phone ring, turning the volume up on the TV, or frequently having to ask others to repeat themselves. But did you know the ramifications of hearing loss go far beyond just these simple impacts to your life?

Our hearing can have a broad impact on our health and wellbeing. In fact, research shows that hearing loss has been linked to everything from cognitive decline to depression and increased risk of falls.

Hearing loss and your health

One of the most notable impacts of hearing loss is that it’s linked to a 32 per cent higher risk of developing dementia.

That’s because hearing loss isolates our mind, gradually reducing our mental sharpness, says Karen Hirschausen, principal audiologist at Hearing Australia.

“Hearing loss increases our cognitive load – meaning our brain has to expend more effort to keep up with conversation or hear what someone is saying,” she says.

“If we think about cognitive decline and dementia in general, when the brain is deprived of certain senses, and it’s working harder all the time to process sound, you’re leaving fewer resources available for memory and thinking.

“Hearing loss has been linked to an increased risk of dementia and is considered a modifiable risk factor. That’s why early identification and management are so important.”

This means we can reduce our risk of developing dementia by addressing hearing loss, Hirschausen explains. “Anything that we can do to keep the brain stimulated – including access to sound – is always going to be a good thing.”

When it comes to our physical health, hearing loss also more than doubles our risk of a serious fall.

Our hearing plays a key role in helping us stay aware of our surroundings and maintain balance – so when “our hearing's reduced, we've got less access to environmental sounds that might help us understand what's happening around us,” Hirschausen says. “It reduces our capacity to remain vigilant about the environment that we're in, or maintain balance and navigate our surroundings safely.”

Finally, hearing loss can also make us more socially isolated – in turn increasing our risk of depression, anxiety and loneliness.

Studies show that hearing loss can lead to a 35 per cent higher risk of developing depression. Even a low level of hearing loss makes you 50 per cent more likely to feel overwhelmed or stressed, and hearing loss has been linked to “intense” levels of loneliness in those aged over 40.

“Hearing is connected to communication, and communication is fundamental to social connection,” Hirschausen says. “We know that when our hearing declines, conversations become more difficult; people find those social situations more exhausting or just frustrating. So over time, they start to avoid gatherings or they withdraw from activities that they used to enjoy and start to really notice that disconnection from family and friends.

“And that disconnection can then lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.”

Hear the good news

There are actions you can take to address hearing loss, which means you don’t have to live with these risks to your health.

And getting your hearing checked is easy: a hearing check at Hearing Australia takes only 15 minutes and is free for adults aged 18 and over*.

Hirschausen says, “Australians should think of a hearing check as part of our holistic health approach – just like our dental appointments, skin checks or GP check-ups.”

“Because hearing loss is common particularly as people age, we strongly encourage everybody to include hearing health as part of their overall health and wellbeing – even if they don't necessarily think that there might be a problem. As we get older, having it as a part of our general health check is essential.”

And the sooner you act, the better. Not just for the sake of your ears, but for your mind, body and happiness.

“Don't wait,” Hirschausen says. “We know that maintaining those strong social connections is really important for both our mental and our physical health, which is why we recommend people to address hearing loss as early as possible.”

Concerned about your hearing? Book a free 15-minute adult hearing check with Hearing Australia—Australia’s most trusted hearing services provider since 2021, as voted by Reader’s Digest readers. Call 134 432 or book online at hearing.com.au/bookings.

*Only 15-minute hearing checks are free. Other services may attract charges/fees or may be subsidised for those eligible under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program, to which conditions apply. A hearing check is a screening that helps identify people that may have hearing loss.