Hearing involves both your ears and the brain, so it’s no wonder that hearing loss can go hand in hand with thinking and memory problems. Studies are increasingly linking hearing loss to issues such as faster brain shrinkage, earlier onset of significant cognitive impairment, and up to a quintupled risk of dementia. However, addressing conditions such as hearing loss could help prevent a third of dementia cases worldwide, per a UK research collaborative. With hearing health and overall wellness so connected, seeking regular hearing checks and addressing listening difficulties early is important.