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World Alzheimer’s Month: Hearing Loss & Dementia

Hearing Loss and Brain Health

World Alzheimer's Month

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, when people, families and health organisations around the world talk more openly about Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and brain health.

Hearing isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when people think about dementia. But a growing body of research points to a link between hearing loss and a higher risk of cognitive decline.

That doesn’t mean hearing loss leads to dementia. It does mean your hearing is worth paying attention to as you age, alongside the other things that keep you connected to people and engaged with the world around you.

At Dilworth Hearing, we think a hearing screening should be as routine as an eye test or a blood pressure check.

Read more about the link between hearing loss and cognition
Book your free hearing assessment

What is World Alzheimer's Month?

Every September, World Alzheimer’s Month brings together patients, families, clinicians and organisations to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

World Alzheimer’s Day falls on 21 September and marks the busiest point of the campaign.

It’s a chance to learn more about brain health, think about the risk factors within your control, and get advice early if you’ve noticed changes in yourself or someone close to you.

What's the link between hearing loss and dementia?

Hearing impairment has been identified as one of the potentially modifiable risk factors associated with dementia¹.

Hearing shapes how we communicate. When it gets harder to hear, conversations take more effort and concentration, and some people start avoiding social situations altogether because keeping up feels like too much work.

That matters because social connection is closely tied to brain health, which is part of why researchers keep studying the relationship between hearing and cognition².

Signs it might be time to check your hearing

Hearing loss creeps up slowly, so it’s easy to miss.
You might benefit from a hearing check if you:

  • Keep asking people to repeat themselves
  • Struggle to follow conversations in restaurants or other noisy places
  • Feel like everyone around you is mumbling
  • Turn the TV or radio up louder than anyone else wants
  • Find phone calls hard to follow
  • Feel worn out after a conversation because you had to concentrate so hard
  • Avoid certain social situations because hearing has become a hassle

If a few of these sound familiar, a hearing check will tell you whether anything has actually changed.
You can read more about what happens during a hearing test at Dilworth Hearing.

Why hearing screenings matter

Hearing changes gradually, much like eyesight does.

Getting it checked gives you a clear picture of where things stand now, so it’s easier to spot any changes later.

You don’t need to wait until hearing loss is getting in the way of everyday life before doing something about it.

Dilworth Hearing offers a free hearing screening for anyone 18 and over, at clinics across New Zealand. It takes about 20 minutes and gives a quick read on whether you might have hearing loss. If it flags a possible concern, we’ll talk you through whether a full hearing assessment makes sense.

Learn more about our free hearing screening.

Look after your hearing this Alzheimer's Awareness Month

World Alzheimer’s Month is a good prompt to remember that your overall health and your brain health aren’t separate things.

There’s no single step that guarantees you won’t develop dementia. But looking after the factors you can influence, hearing included, is part of aging well.

Book Your Free Hearing Assessment

Take a simple step towards understanding your hearing health.

Book a free hearing screening at a Dilworth Hearing clinic. It’ll give you an indication of where your hearing sits now, and whether further assessment is worth considering. Available for adults 18+.

Call 0800 005 641, or fill in the form below and we’ll get back to you to confirm a time.

Prefer to find a clinic first? Find your nearest Dilworth Hearing clinic.

    FAQs

    When is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in New Zealand?

    World Alzheimer’s Month takes place every September in New Zealand and around the world. World Alzheimer’s Day is observed on 21 September each year.

    When is World Alzheimer's Day?

    World Alzheimer’s Day is 21 September each year, the main awareness day within World Alzheimer’s Month.

    Is hearing loss linked to dementia?

    Research shows an association between hearing loss and a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia¹. That said, hearing loss doesn’t mean someone will develop dementia, and dementia usually has more than one contributing factor.

    Can treating hearing loss prevent dementia?

    There’s no guarantee that treating hearing loss prevents dementia. But looking after your hearing supports communication, social connection and quality of life, and it’s considered one factor worth paying attention to as you age.

    How do I know if I have hearing loss?

    Common signs include struggling to follow conversations, asking people to repeat themselves, turning the TV up, or finding background noise makes it harder to hear. A hearing screening or test can confirm whether anything’s changed.

    How long does a Dilworth Hearing screening take?

    About 20 minutes. It’s available free to anyone 18 and over.

    Book your free hearing screening

    Book an appointment with Dilworth Hearing, and take a simple step towards understanding your hearing health. Available for adults 18+.

    Request an appointment

    CALL 0800 005 641