Is your brain shrinking? (it might be time to book that hearing test)

Elisa Nuevo Vallín
Jul 29
3 min read

Let’s start with the good news: you're probably doing better than you think.

You eat your veggies, you move your body (even if it’s mostly walking to the fridge), and you try to get decent sleep.

But according to ITV’s Dr Amir Khan, there’s one surprisingly common issue that’s quietly sneaking into our lives, making our brains work overtime and putting us at greater risk of dementia.

That sneaky culprit?

Untreated hearing loss.

Yep. Not dramatic memory lapses. Not playing Candy Crush instead of Sudoku. Just… not hearing properly.

“It’s not just what you hear — it’s what your brain has to do to make sense of it.”

In an Instagram video, Dr Khan explained that hearing loss is actually the biggest modifiable risk factor for dementia. This means it’s one of the things you can actively do something about.

Let’s break it down — no medical degree required.

So what’s the connection between hearing and dementia?

1. Your brain is knackered.

If your ears aren’t doing their job properly, your brain steps in like an overworked intern, trying to piece together what you missed.

Straining to follow conversations?

Constantly guessing what someone said in the pub?

Nodding and smiling while wondering if they asked you a question?

That extra effort burns brain energy, the same energy you need for memory, decision-making, and creativity. “It’s like running apps in the background that slow your phone down. The brain is too busy trying to hear to remember.”

2. Use it or lose it.

MRI scans show that people with hearing loss can experience faster brain shrinkage, especially in the areas that process memory and language.

It’s a bit like your muscles. If you don’t use them, they vanish. If your ears go quiet and your brain stops processing sound properly, those connections can fade.

3. You stop socialising, and your brain hates that.

If you can’t hear people properly, you may start avoiding conversation altogether. No more chats at the café. No more group dinners. No more awkward small talk with your neighbour.

And this withdrawal?

It’s a fast track to loneliness, which is a major risk factor for cognitive decline.

As Dr Khan puts it, “If you’re not connecting, you’re not protecting your brain.”

So what should you do about it?

No need to panic, throw your phone across the room or start memorising chess openings.

Here’s what you can do right now:

✅ Get your hearing tested

You can do this quickly, easily, and in most cases for free.

Places to check your hearing in the UK:

Specsavers – Free hearing tests and they’re everywhere.
Boots Hearingcare – Quick online hearing checks or in-store appointments.
Hidden Hearing – Free tests and home visits for extra comfort.
Scrivens – Offers NHS and private options.
Your GP – Ask for a referral if you suspect hearing loss.
Online test via RNID – Free and instant: Try it here

✅ If you need a hearing aid, don’t freak out

Forget everything you think you know about hearing aids. They are no longer clunky beige blobs with a whistling problem.

Modern hearing aids are:

Discreet
Powerful
Packed with Bluetooth wizardry
And if you want to make a statement? There’s Deafmetal.

Yes, Deafmetal — the Finnish brand combining hearing aids with beautiful, functional jewellery. Think rockstar meets audiology. Chains, cuffs, crystals — these pieces make hearing tech look like runway fashion.

Who said hearing aids had to be boring?

✅ Stay social, stay curious

If hearing loss has already made socialising a bit of a struggle, don't let it win.

Use subtitles. Text instead of calling. Learn some basic sign language (it’s very cool, by the way). Ask people to face you when they speak. Join groups where communication feels easier.

Your brain needs connection, not isolation.