“Wait, What Did You Say?” — Why Hearing Loss Is the Dementia Risk Nobody’s Talking About

Sep 28

Let’s be honest: hearing loss is not exactly the sexiest topic in women’s health. We’ll talk about hot flashes, dry vaginas, and hormone patches before we’ll admit we’re saying “huh?” way more often than we used to. But here’s the thing: your hearing is more than just volume control, it’s brain protection. And ignoring those early signs of hearing loss might actually accelerate something much scarier than asking someone to repeat themselves… dementia.

So, before you roll your eyes and reach for your readers, hang with me. This is one midlife health topic that actually deserves your full attention.

👂🏼 The Stats You’re Ignoring (But Shouldn’t Be)

According to the National Institute for Health:

1 in 3 adults aged 65–74 has some hearing loss.
By age 75+, it’s over 50%.
And by age 80? Nearly 90%.
I would also bet you, under 65 yo, also have some loss too. I know I do.

Just because it’s common doesn’t make it benign. You wouldn’t ignore high blood pressure or skipping periods, so you can’t brush off hearing changes as “just getting older.”

Your brain is listening too (or trying to).

🧠 The Hearing-Dementia Link (Yes, It’s Real)

Here’s what the research shows (for men and women):

Even mild hearing loss doubles your risk of developing dementia.
Moderate? Triples it.
Severe hearing loss? You’re looking at a 5x increase in risk.

Studies have also found that hearing loss can accelerate cognitive decline by 30–40% over just six years. Why? Because your brain starts rerouting energy from memory and thinking to just trying to understand what people are saying.

It’s called cognitive load. Basically, your brain is so busy deciphering muffled conversations that it doesn't have the bandwidth left for anything else. And don’t forget the social isolation that comes when it’s too exhausting to keep up. Have you ever gone to an open concept restaurant but couldn’t hear the people in your group making conversation because of all the background noise?

Less connection = more degeneration.

🧏🏽‍♀️ But I’m Not That Old…

Ah yes, the classic. Here’s the truth: hearing decline often starts in your 40s and 50s, especially if you’ve:

Been to concerts without earplugs (guilty).
Rocking loud music in the earbuds while vacuuming/exercising/anything (guilty again).
Had repeat exposure to loud workplaces or hobbies.
Or have things like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history.

I recently heard neuroscientist and podcaster Dr. Andrew Huberman say, if the person next to you can hear your music through your head phones, it’s way too loud.

Menopause could also play a role. There’s emerging thought that estrogen might help regulate inner ear function. Hormonal shifts can affect vascular flow and inflammation, both of which matter for the tiny hair cells in your cochlea.

🔍 Signs You Might Be Missing

Do you struggle to follow conversations in restaurants with a lot of background noise?
Constantly say, “Wait—what did you say?” or “Huh?”
Crank up the TV just a little too high?
Avoid phone calls or feel drained after socializing?
Hear ringing or whooshing in your ears (aka tinnitus)?

These aren’t just annoying. They’re early flags your ears—and brain—need more support.

📣 What You Can Actually Do About It

✅ Get Your Hearing Tested

If you’re 50+, make it part of your yearly check-up—just like your mammogram, colonoscopy, and hormone labs. Go sooner if you’re already suspicious of hearing loss.

✅ Don’t Be Afraid of Hearing Aids

Today’s hearing aids are smart, sleek, and sexy (okay maybe not “sexy,” but definitely not the giant beige bananas of the past). Studies show that hearing aids can reduce cognitive decline by up to 50% in at-risk adults.

✅ Protect What You’ve Got

Consider ear protection at concerts, while blow-drying, or during loud workouts.
Definitely wear ear protection if your work or hobbies are loud (ex. power tools, airplanes, music)
Turn down the volume in your AirPods. (Seriously. Your ears are not indestructible.)
Support healthy circulation with blood sugar and blood pressure control.
If you are exposed to loud noise (such as a concert) and you can tell that night or the next day your ears are a little muffled, take it easy on the sounds the next few days.

✅ Eat for Ear Health

Antioxidants/polyphenols (hello blueberries, green tea, and pomegranate), omega-3s, and magnesium-rich foods can support the inner ear and brain connection.

✅ Reduce Chronic Stress

Because cortisol dysregulates everything—including your hearing and your hippocampus. Deep breathing isn’t just for hot flashes anymore. Focus on bits of joy, relaxation, and rest as you can.

🚺 A Final Word for Women Who Are Overdue for a Hearing Check

Look, I get it. Hearing loss feels like an “old person problem,” and most of us are still trying to figure out how to manage our cycles, our stress, and our sex lives. Hearing just doesn’t feel urgent.

But that’s exactly why I’m bringing it up.

Because you won’t hear about it often (pun intended), and yet it’s one of the most modifiable dementia risk factors we have.

You can’t reverse time but you can support your brain by paying attention to what your ears are telling you now.

So schedule the damn test.

Let’s keep your brain sharp, your conversations juicy, and your midlife full of connection.

Because you deserve to hear every bit of it.

Citations:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542323/

[2] https://www.audibel.com/hearing-loss-treatment/early-signs-of-age-related-hearing-loss/

[3] https://eoent.com/what-makes-people-more-likely-to-develop-hearing-loss/

[4] https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/hearing-aids-slow-cognitive-decline-people-high-risk

[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4024067/