Why not acting on hearing loss is risky
It’s easy to overlook getting your hearing checked. It’s often thought of as natural and unavoidable – just the result of getting older.
But research has shown the surprising risk involved for those who ignore their hearing loss.
It affects those you love:
Your hearing loss can frustrate your partner and strain your relationship.3
Ignoring your hearing loss can affect your partner’s emotional well-being.3
It increases your risk of loneliness:
Hearing loss is linked to a 35% higher risk of developing depression.4
Even a mild level of hearing loss makes you nearly 50% more likely to feel mentally overwhelmed or stressed.5
Ignoring hearing loss significantly increases the odds of being lonely for people aged over 40.6
Linked to heightened risk of developing dementia:1
Hearing loss is linked to a 32% higher risk of developing dementia.1
Ignoring hearing loss isolates your mind, chipping away at your mental sharpness.2
More than doubles your risk of a serious fall:7
Hearing loss more than doubles your risk of a serious fall.7
Hearing plays a key role in helping us stay aware of our surroundings and maintain balance.
Ignoring your hearing is risky – but getting your hearing checked is simple and free.
Hearing Australia has been helping Australians for over 75 years. We’re the nation’s most trusted hearing services brand*, backed by research, compassion and a commitment to your hearing health’s wellbeing.
*Reader's Digest #1 Trusted Brand in Hearing Services 2021-2025
Know the Study Behind the Fact
Curious about the research that supports the facts we've shared?
Explore the studies and reports that underpin our insights. Whether you're looking for deeper understanding or simply want to verify the evidence, this section offers direct access to the science behind the fact.
1. Readman, M. R., Littlejohn, J., Dodd, I., Rhodes, S., Wareing, L., Polden, M., … Giebel, C. (2025). Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis from a global perspective. Aging & Mental Health, 29(10), 1831–1844. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2025.2515180 accessed 21/10/25
2. Ruan-Ching Yu, Menelaos Pavlou, Anne G M Schilder, Doris-Eva Bamiou, Glyn Lewis, Frank Robert Lin, Gill Livingston, Danielle Proctor, Rumana Omar, Sergi G Costafreda, Early detection and management of hearing loss to reduce dementia risk in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: findings from the treating auditory impairment and cognition trial (TACT), Age and Ageing, Volume 54, Issue 1, January 2025, afaf004, https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaf004 Accessed 21/10/25 at https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/54/1/afaf004/7965371
3. Barker, A. B., Leighton, P., & Ferguson, M. A. (2017). Coping together with hearing loss: a qualitative meta-synthesis of the psychosocial experiences of people with hearing loss and their communication partners. International Journal of Audiology, 56(5), 297-305. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2017.1286695 Accessed 21/10/25 at https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/839547/coping-together-with-hearing-loss-a-qualitative-meta-synthesis-of-the-psychosocial-experiences-of-people-with-hearing-loss-and-their-communication-partner
4. Wei, J., Li, Y. and Gui, X. (2024) Association of hearing loss and risk of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Neurol. 15:1446262. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1446262 accessed 22/10/25
5. Bigelow, R.T., Reed, N.S., Brewster, K.K., et al. Association of Hearing Loss With Psychological Distress and Utilization of Mental Health Services Among Adults in the United States. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(7):e2010986. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.10986 accessed 21/10/25
6. Jayakody, D.M.P., Wishart, .J, Stegeman, I., Eikelboom, R., Moyle, T.C., Yiannos, J.M., Goodman-Simpson, J. and Almeida, O.P. (2022) Is There an Association Between Untreated Hearing Loss and Psychosocial Outcomes? Front. Aging Neurosci. 14:868673. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.868673 accessed 22/10/253
7. Goman, A. M., Tan, N., Pike, J. R., et al. (2025). Effects of hearing intervention on falls in older adults: findings from a secondary analysis of the ACHIEVE randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Public Health, 10:6 e492-e50. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(25)00088-X Accessed 22/10/25 at https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(25)00088-X/fulltext
Ignoring your hearing is risky – but getting your hearing checked is simple and free.
Hearing Australia has been helping Australians for over 75 years. We’re the nation’s most trusted hearing services brand*, backed by research, compassion and a commitment to your hearing health’s wellbeing.
*Reader's Digest #1 Trusted Brand in Hearing Services 2021-2025
