Does Tinnitus Cause Dementia?

The short answer is no – tinnitus does not cause dementia; however, there can be a strong correlation between tinnitus and cognitive decline, making it worth looking beyond a headline to understand the relationship better. 

Dementia is a clinical diagnosis that refers to a progressive decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents an intermediate stage between normal age-related cognitive changes and dementia. Individuals with MCI may experience memory or thinking difficulties, but these changes typically have minimal impact on everyday activities. 

Tinnitus is the perception of sound with no external sound source. Most commonly tinnitus is a symptom of hearing loss, but it can also be related to non–auditory findings, including neurological and psychological findings, like anxiety and depression. 

Understanding what tinnitus is, and how dementia differs from MCI, can help us to better understand the correlation, not causation, between tinnitus and dementia. Often those, with age-related hearing loss also report tinnitus perception. We also know that an aging brain and (untreated) hearing loss can increase the cognitive load on the brain, i.e., the brain must work harder to process information. Recent research has shown that treating hearing loss can reduce the rate of cognitive decline by almost 50% (ACHIEVE study), indicating that hearing loss – not the tinnitus itself- is a modifiable risk factor for dementia. 

Current research cannot definitively say tinnitus causes dementia, but it does show a strong correlation thanks to shared co-factors. Factors that increase the severity of one’s tinnitus can raise the risk of cognitive decline; these factors can range from sleep disruptions and chronic stress to worsening hearing loss. By addressing and treating these additional factors and/or issues, individuals can be proactive in addressing both their hearing health and long-term brain health.