For the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) has included hearing aids in their dementia prevention guidelines. The second edition of Risk Reduction of Cognitive Decline and Dementia guidelines (see PDF here), published on July 15, 2026, cites hearing aids among other behaviours and interventions that could potentially reduce the risk of dementia.  

This marks a significant step forward in recognising the wider importance and potential impact of hearing health on overall wellbeing. 

Dementia currently affects an estimated 982,000 people in the UK alone, and this number is expected to rise. There is still no cure, but research shows that addressing the modifiable factors can help to potentially reduce or delay the risk of cognitive decline. 

In the recently published guidelines, the WHO states: 

“To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, hearing aids may be offered to adults with hearing loss.” (page 61). 

After no recommendation was made in the previous 2019 guidelines due to insufficient evidence, this is the first time that hearing aids have been specifically included in the guidelines – highlighting the increase in evidence and consistent findings across studies that suggests that hearing loss treatments may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. 

Globally, about one in five people experience some form of hearing loss – with prevalence rising with age – and hearing loss often remains undiagnosed and unaddressed, particularly in older adults.  

Untreated hearing loss can have widespread impacts on quality of life. The WHO guidelines observe that it can lead to decreased social engagement, mental wellbeing, and physical activity, which has been linked to an increase in the risk of cognitive decline and dementia (page 60). 

Whilst hearing aids are recommended to individuals with hearing loss to potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline, the WHO does not state that hearing aids will prevent dementia, and the recommendation is classified as conditional with the certainty of evidence rated low. 

That being said, the WHO recognising the treatment of hearing loss as part of a broader effort in dementia risk reduction marks a significant change for hearing healthcare. 

If you think you might have hearing loss, don’t ignore it. Hearing loss can have widespread impacts on quality of life, so it’s important to seek advice if you notice a change in your hearing. 

The symptoms of hearing loss can often be subtle and appear over time, so it can be difficult to notice them at first. It’s usually friends and family that notice first. 

If you’ve noticed any of the following: 

• Friends and family getting frustrated during conversations
• Turning the TV up louder
• Asking people to repeat themselves during conversations
• Muffled hearing
• Ringing in your ears
• Difficulty following conversations, especially in large crowds

Get in touch and speak to a hearing expert to find out how we can support you. 

CONTACT US

You can contact Hear at: 

1. Alzheimer’s Society. How many people have dementia in the UK? Alzheimer’s Society. 2024. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/how-many-people-have-dementia-uk 

1. Haile LM, Kamenov K, Briant PS, Orji AU, Steinmetz JD, Abdoli A, et al. Hearing loss prevalence and years lived with disability, 1990-2019: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2021;397(10278):996-1009. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33714390/ 

1. World Health Organization. Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia: WHO guidelines, second edition. WHO. 2026. https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/ea44b7f6-b09f-4e6f-b8c7-2e5b0fcc9a99/content?utm_source=hearingtracker.com