Most think dementia begins with memory problems.Forgetting names, repeating questions, or misplacing items often come to mind. But research shows the earliest changes often appear in a different area of the brain called executive function. This is what allows us to plan, stay organized, and manage complex tasks.
Here’s the surprising part: many of the same early difficulties that signal executive function decline also appear in people with untreated hearing loss. Families here in Louisiana sometimes mistake these changes for normal aging, or even early dementia, when the root cause of these symptoms is actually related to hearing. That is why audiologists play such an important role in protecting both hearing and brain health.
Early Signs Families Should Watch Out For
A decline in executive function often shows up in subtle ways. These can include:
- Money Management Problems: Balancing a checkbook may take hours, bills may be missed or paid twice, or financial decisions may suddenly be avoided altogether
- Driving Challenges: Someone may get lost on familiar routes, have trouble with left turns, or grow anxious about parking
- Multi-step Tasks: Cooking meals, managing medications, or planning social events may start to feel overwhelming
Now consider how untreated hearing loss can create similar struggles. When you can’t clearly follow conversations or directions, multi-step tasks become harder. When background noise makes driving stressful, confidence behind the wheel drops. When hearing fatigue sets in, even balancing a checkbook can feel exhausting. This overlap is one reason dementia is often suspected when the real issue may be hearing related.
Why Doctors Often Miss the Connection
Many families are surprised when these warning signs don’t show up during a routine doctor’s visit. There are a number of reasons why this might be:
- Standard cognitive tests are limited. Tools like the MoCA or MMSE measure basic functions but don’t capture how people handle complex daily tasks.
- Patients compensate. Social skills remain intact longer than executive function, so someone may appear capable in the exam room. Spouses or caregivers sometimes step in to answer, which hides the problem further.
- Hearing loss looks like cognitive decline. Missing parts of a conversation, asking people to repeat themselves, or withdrawing socially can mimic dementia symptoms. Unless a hearing exam is done, the difference is easy to miss.
A Better Approach to Early Detection
The key is to look at daily life, not just clinical results. Families should ask:
- Have once-simple tasks become harder in the past year?
- Is following conversations more difficult?
- Are social situations being avoided because listening feels tiring?
Caregivers often notice these changes first, sometimes months or years before they show up on medical tests. That is why their perspective is so important to diagnosis and treatment.
And because hearing loss is both common and treatable, a hearing exam is one of the simplest ways to separate the dementia risk from any other hearing-related challenges. It provides clarity for families and gives medical providers a fuller picture of what’s happening.
Hearing Health and Brain Health Go Hand-In-Hand
The science is clear: untreated hearing loss increases the risk of dementia. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, older adults with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop memory and thinking problems compared to those with normal hearing.
Experts believe this happens for several reasons:
- The brain works harder to process sound, leaving fewer resources for memory and problem-solving
- Social withdrawal caused by hearing difficulties reduces cognitive stimulation
- Hearing loss may accelerate structural brain changes linked to dementia
The good news is that treating hearing loss can help. Hearing aids and other solutions restore access to sound, reduce listening fatigue, and keep people engaged with family, friends, and community. For many older adults, this is one of the most effective ways to support long-term brain health.
Take the First Step with Associated Hearing
At Associated Hearing, we see hearing care as part of whole-person health. Our local team of experts provides comprehensive hearing evaluations designed to give families peace of mind and a clear path towards treatment. Whether the concern is dementia risk or simply improving day-to-day communication, we’re here to help.
If you’ve noticed changes in a loved one’s daily life, or if you’re ready to take a proactive step for your own health, contact us today to schedule a hearing exam with one of our expert audiologists. Protecting your hearing is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term brain health.