Highlights:
- A new study has found that for people with moderate hearing loss, being prescribed hearing aids had no impact on cognitive test scores.
- Following people with moderate hearing loss, researchers compared those prescribed hearing aids to those without prescriptions.
- They found both groups had similar average test scores on memory and thinking tests.
- However, researchers also found having hearing aid prescriptions was associated with a 33% lower risk of dementia. This finding does not prove that hearing aids reduce the risk. It only shows an association.
- While no improvement in cognitive test scores was unexpected, factors like most participants having good cognitive health when the study started may have reduced the potential for improvement.
MINNEAPOLIS — A new study has found that for people with moderate hearing loss, being prescribed hearing aids had little impact on cognitive test scores. The study was published on January 14, 2026, in Neurology® , the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology .
"Hearing loss is more common as we age and previous research has found it may increase the risk of memory and thinking problems, including dementia, but less is known about how treating hearing loss with hearing aids may impact brain health," said study author Joanne Ryan, PhD, of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. "Our study followed people with hearing loss, some of whom were prescribed hearing aids and some who were not, and found cognitive scores were similar for both groups. However, we also found that hearing aids were associated with a lower risk of dementia."
Researchers looked at 2,777 people in Australia with an average age of 75 who did not have dementia at the start of the study. All participants had moderate hearing loss, defined as self-reported hearing problems, but had never used hearing aids.
During the study, 664 people were prescribed hearing aids. Those prescribed hearing aids answered questions about how often they used them.
They were followed for seven years and completed cognitive tests annually. These tests measured skills like memory, language and speed. During the study, 117 people developed dementia.
Researchers compared people who were prescribed hearing aids with those who were not.
Researchers found average cognitive test scores were similar for both groups during the study. Having hearing aids was not associated with better scores.
But when looking at risk of dementia, after adjusting for age, sex and conditions like diabetes and heart disease, researchers found that people prescribed hearing aids had a 5% risk of developing dementia during the study, compared to 8% for those who were not. This was equivalent to a 33% lower dementia risk.
Ryan said finding a lower dementia risk but little improvement in cognitive test scores is unexpected but may be explained by several factors. "One factor could be that most study participants had good cognitive health when the study started, reducing the potential for improvement with hearing aids."
In addition, researchers found that after adjustments those prescribed hearing aids had a 36% risk of developing cognitive impairment, which includes cognitive decline and dementia, compared to 42% for those who were not. This was equivalent to a 15% lower risk of cognitive impairment.
Researchers found that as people used their hearing aids more often, their risk of dementia declined proportionally.
"While we didn't find a difference in cognitive scores, our study suggests that for older adults with hearing loss, using hearing aids may lower the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, benefiting brain health," said Ryan. "Further studies are needed to understand the ways hearing aids may support memory, thinking and brain health overall."
A limitation of the study was that most participants were healthy and had good cognitive skills at the start, so the results might not be the same for people who are less healthy or already have memory problems.
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, the Australian government and Monash University.
Discover more about dementia at Brain & Life® , from the American Academy of Neurology. This resource offers a website, podcast, and books that connect patients, caregivers and anyone interested in brain health with the most trusted information, straight from the world's leading experts in brain health. Follow Brain & Life® on Facebook , X , and Instagram .
The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 40,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.
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