Scientists Link Hearing Loss to Cognitive Decline

New study finds brain region changes may explain the connection between age-related hearing issues and dementia risk.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A new study published in the journal eNeuro has identified a potential biological mechanism linking age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, to cognitive decline. Researchers from Tiangong University and Shandong Provincial Hospital used MRI scans to analyze the Functional-Structural Ratio (FSR) in the brains of older adults with and without presbycusis. They found that changes in FSR, which measures the balance between brain activity and structure, were correlated with both hearing and cognitive deficits, particularly in brain regions involved in speech processing and higher-order thinking.

Why it matters

The findings suggest that protecting one's hearing health may help maintain brain integrity and reduce the risk of developing dementia. If validated, the FSR could potentially serve as an early biomarker to identify individuals at greatest risk of cognitive decline associated with age-related hearing loss.

The details

The study recruited 110 Mandarin-speaking adults aged 50-74, some with presbycusis and some with normal hearing. Participants underwent comprehensive hearing assessments, neuropsychological evaluations, and MRI scans to measure gray matter volume and brain activity. The researchers found that those with presbycusis showed reductions in gray matter volume and changes in brain activity in regions like the superior temporal gyrus, insula, and fusiform gyrus. Importantly, they identified overlapping functional and structural changes in the fusiform gyrus, medial superior frontal gyrus, putamen, and precuneus. The FSR in these regions was significantly correlated with measures of hearing, memory, and executive function.

  • The study was published in the journal eNeuro on February 18, 2026.

The players

Ning Li

The lead researcher on the study, from Tiangong University and Shandong Provincial Hospital.

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What they’re saying

“The key point of clinical significance from our work is that protecting your hearing health may help to maintain your brain's integrity.”

— Ning Li (eNeuro)

What’s next

The researchers suggest that further validation of the FSR measure through regression modeling, multivariate fusion methodologies, and replication studies in larger datasets will be important next steps to solidify the link between hearing loss, brain changes, and cognitive decline.

The takeaway

This study provides promising evidence of a biological mechanism connecting age-related hearing loss to cognitive impairment, highlighting the importance of preserving hearing health as a potential strategy to maintain brain function and reduce dementia risk as we age.