We at RestorEar know that maintaining hearing health isn’t just about sound. From mental health to cardiovascular disease to even Parkinson’s, our quality of hearing—esepcially as we age—plays a vital role. Previous research has linked hearing aid use with decreased risk of dementia. Now, a new study from Brazil adds to growing evidence that hearing loss in midlife may accelerate cognitive decline as people age. 

Researchers at the University of São Paulo followed 805 adults over an eight-year period as part of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health. At the start of the study, participants had an average age of 51. Those with hearing loss—defined as difficulty hearing sounds softer than 25 decibels in the better ear—were found to experience a faster decline in overall cognitive performance compared to those with normal hearing. This decline was measured using a combination of memory, verbal fluency, and attention tests.

Although only about 8% of participants had hearing loss at the beginning of the study, the researchers observed a small but statistically significant difference in the rate of mental decline. Importantly, this study adds valuable data from a middle-income country, addressing a gap in the global research, which has mostly focused on high-income nations.

Given that hearing loss is a potentially modifiable risk factor, these findings highlight the importance of early detection and management—not just for hearing health, but for long-term brain health as well.

You can access the full study here and subscribe to our newsletter for more research news.