Hearing Loss and Dementia: What You Need to Know and Do
Hearing loss and dementia are linked. The 2024 Lancet Commission names hearing loss as one of the largest dementia risk factors you control, connected to about 7% of dementia cases worldwide. Yet most people wait 7 to 10 years between noticing a hearing problem and getting help. In our live poll, 60% of the audience said they had put it off too.
This was the third webinar in the YEI Hub Conversation Series on dementia, following our sessions on dementia myths and the MIND diet. Marilyn Hallett spoke with a clinical audiologist with more than 15 years of experience across private practice, public health and university teaching.
The conversation covers the early signs of hearing loss, what the research says about hearing loss and dementia, the link to falls, how to raise the subject with someone you love, and what to know before you pay for hearing aids in South Africa. Watch the recording below for the full discussion.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
Hearing loss blurs speech before it turns down the volume
Age-related hearing loss affects high-pitched sounds first. These carry the consonants, and consonants carry meaning, so words like fish and dish start to sound alike. You hear someone talking but miss what they say. The recording explains why busy restaurants are often the first place people notice a problem.
Early warning signs of hearing loss
Turning up the TV, feeling everyone mumbles, and coming home drained after social events all point to a change in your hearing. So does a partner commenting on it. If you recognise two or three signs, book a hearing test. The recording runs through the full list.
What the research says about hearing loss and dementia
Hearing loss is associated with a higher risk of dementia. Research does not show it causes dementia. The 2024 Lancet Commission links hearing loss to about 7% of dementia cases worldwide, and the ACHIEVE trial found hearing care slowed cognitive decline in older adults at higher risk. The recording explains what this evidence means for you.
Hearing loss raises your risk of falls
A Johns Hopkins study found even mild hearing loss came with nearly three times the odds of a fall. Your inner ear holds both your hearing and your balance organs. If you notice dizziness alongside hearing changes, tell your healthcare provider.
How to raise hearing loss with a loved one
Choose a calm, private moment and talk about what you miss, not what they get wrong. One conversation rarely does it. The recording covers what helps a reluctant partner or parent take the first step, and what pushes them away.
Hearing aids help, but your brain needs time
Hearing aids work less like glasses and more like a new hip: they need a period of rehabilitation. Find out in the recording what modern hearing aids do in noisy places, and how to get through the first few weeks.
What hearing aids cost in South Africa
Hearing aids in South Africa range from around R5,000 to over R120,000. A well-fitted mid-range device outperforms a poorly fitted premium one. Cheap mail-order adverts usually sell sound amplifiers, not hearing aids. The recording includes four questions to ask before you buy and the ways to pay, from medical aid to state hospitals.
Sudden hearing loss in one ear is an emergency
See a doctor or ear, nose and throat specialist within 72 hours. Early treatment makes a difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a link between hearing loss and dementia?
Yes. The 2024 Lancet Commission lists hearing loss among the largest dementia risk factors you control, linked to about 7% of dementia cases worldwide. No study shows hearing loss causes dementia.
Do hearing aids reduce dementia risk?
The evidence is promising but early. The ACHIEVE trial found hearing care slowed cognitive decline in older adults at higher risk. Researchers need more studies before drawing firm conclusions.
How common is hearing loss in older adults?
The World Health Organization estimates more than a quarter of people over 60 have hearing loss affecting their daily life. Worldwide, more than 1.5 billion people live with some degree of hearing loss.
What are the first signs of hearing loss?
Common early signs include turning up the TV, asking people to repeat themselves, and struggling to follow conversations in restaurants or groups. Many people find women’s and children’s voices harder to follow first.
How much do hearing aids cost in South Africa?
Prices range from around R5,000 to over R120,000, depending on the brand and technology level. The price usually covers your assessment, fitting and follow-up appointments as well as the device.
Does medical aid cover hearing aids in South Africa?
Many medical aid plans include a hearing aid benefit, with the amount and claim cycle varying by scheme. Phone your scheme to confirm your benefit before you book.
When should I have my hearing tested?
Get a baseline test at 50 to 55, even without symptoms. After 60, test every one to two years, or sooner if you notice changes.
Research Mentioned
World Report on Hearing (World Health Organization, 2021)
Global figures on hearing loss, including more than 1.5 billion people living with some degree of hearing loss.
The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care (2024)
An international expert report identifying 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia, with hearing loss among the largest.
The ACHIEVE Trial (2023)
The largest randomised trial so far on hearing care and cognitive decline in older adults, run over three years.
Hearing Loss and Falls Among Older Adults (Johns Hopkins, 2012)
A study of US adults linking hearing loss to a higher risk of falls, with the risk rising as hearing worsens.
YEI Hearing and Quality of Life Survey (2026)
A survey of YEI readers on hearing, stigma and attitudes to hearing aids. Most respondents said not responding when spoken to would be judged more harshly than wearing a small hearing aid.
Resources and Support
Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
Check an audiologist’s registration online before you buy. Registered professionals answer to clinical and ethical standards.
The YEI Directory
Find hearing care providers listed in the YEI directory, and contact them through their listing.
Public hospital audiology departments
Provincial and academic hospitals supply hearing aids at a means-tested fee. Start with a referral from your local clinic or day hospital.
Your medical aid
Phone your scheme to confirm your hearing aid benefit, how often you claim, and whether you need pre-authorisation.
Service organisations
Rotary and Lions clubs help some people pay for hearing aids. Veterans’ organisations, employer schemes and unions offer benefits too.
hearWHO app (World Health Organization)
A free hearing screening app for your phone, useful as a first check before a full assessment.