Hearing Is About Your Brain

We hear with our brains, not just our ears. The inner ear translates sound waves into electrical signals, which the auditory nerve carries to the brain for interpretation.

You know when you’re learning a new language and your brain gets exhausted trying to fill in the blanks? That’s how it is with hearing loss. Even a mild loss in hearing can drain the brain as it tries to figure out what it missed.

Back in 2011, a landmark JAMA Neurology study found that severe hearing loss that is left untreated can increase the risk of memory and thinking problems by as much as five times.

There are three main theories about why untreated hearing loss may be linked to cognitive decline, summarized in a 2020 Neuron report:

1. Cognitive load: Straining to hear depletes brain power, impairing memory and learning.

2. Structural changes: Hearing loss is physically associated with a decline in brain volume in auditory regions.

3. Social isolation: Struggling to hear makes communication difficult, leading to depression and isolation—a known independent risk factor for dementia.

The research is ongoing, however: A February 2026 eNeuro study suggests that “hearing loss involves a coordinated decline in both brain structure and function.” (The research is also detailed in this MedicalNewsToday story.)

The links between hearing and the brain continue to be investigated by researchers. But we do know that treating hearing loss can help people communicate better and feel connected to others.

(Read more about the connection between hearing health and brain health.)

Noise Affects Your Heart

We’ve all had the experience of being startled by sudden loud noises. Our Neanderthal cousins needed this fight-or-flight response to stay alive, but for us modern folk, it just stresses the body.

We can shut our eyes but we can’t shut our ears. A noise, even at a low level and especially if it’s not continuous, can make the body go into alert mode, releasing a cascade of stress hormones and raising blood pressure. Research published in the European Heart Journal in 2020 and elsewhere has shown that noise pollution elevates the risk for heart disease.

In fact, a review of 28 studies representing over 41 million people that was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology in 2025 found that traffic noise was associated with 3 percent increased cardiovascular risk per 10 decibel increase. A 2025 report in Noise & Health found that long-term environmental noise exposure is linked to a 29 percent increased risk of depression and anxiety symptoms in adults ages 35 and older. Nighttime noise is particularly disruptive to heart and mental health, according to a 2025 paper in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. More recently, the noise from data centers is already causing pushback from communities where they are or will be, with calls for greater environmental planning and regulation.

The relationship goes the other way, too. Poor heart health has long been associated with reduced hearing ability, according to the Hearing Journal.

But remember sound also has the power to heal—just as a sudden noise can make your heart jump, a soothing sound like your favorite music can help bring it back down. It may even help boost memory, according to a new study from Northeastern.

If You Can’t Fully Hear, Your Mental Health Can Suffer

The pandemic showed all of us how much we need social interactions. We need to talk to people. But when we only catch every third word or miss out on important instructions, conversations and jokes, we begin to feel disconnected.

We may start to avoid social events or situations we know will be noisy. It’s no wonder that untreated hearing loss can lead to feelings of depression and isolation. And as we mentioned above, being socially isolated can also increase the risk for cognitive decline.

Hearing Loss Increases the Risk of Falls

A foundational 2012 research letter published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that that older adults with even mild hearing loss are nearly three times more likely to fall than those with typical hearing. For every additional 10 decibels of hearing loss, the chances of falling increased by a factor of 1.4. This highlights the critical role of auditory health in maintaining physical balance and stability.

The reasons for the link between untreated hearing loss and fall risk include:

1. Cognitive load: As detailed above, when the brain has to expend extra resources to process sound, it can inadvertently take away from other brain resources, including those dedicated to gait and balance.

2. Environmental awareness: The reduced ability to hear ambient environmental cues can lead to more missteps and tripping.

3. Vestibular function: Hair cell deterioration in the inner ear can affect both the auditory and vestibular (balance) systems.

We want you to keep listening, safely.