Hearing loss is connected to many other health conditions of the body. While hearing loss may not be the cause of these diseases or conditions, it is considered a risk factor for many. One risk factor is tinnitus, which refers to the sensation of perceiving sounds that have no external source—in other words, hearing sounds that are not there. Hearing aids can help reduce tinnitus with specialized programs that are set up by an Audiologist who specializes in tinnitus treatments. Another risk factor is dementia and cognitive decline. By treating hearing loss with hearing aids, it can help ward off cognitive decline and dementia.