05/13/2026
Hearing Loss & Dementia
I try to be proactive about preventing dementia. I follow intermittent fasting, eat clean organic food, avoid scented chemicals at home—and recently, I added hearing care to that list.
Hearing tests are often free, and the technology has come a long way. You can even screen yourself with certain apps. Hearing aids typically range from about $2,000 to $8,000, and in my view, it’s worth choosing a high-quality option. The newer models use AI to adapt and improve how you hear over time.
My own test showed some loss in the higher frequencies. When that happens, the brain has to work harder to process sound, which can affect memory, balance, and even mood. In some cases, it’s linked to anxiety and depression.
Interestingly, I had planned to write about my experience today, and then I came across an article in The Wall Street Journal newspaper I was reading today reporting on a large Apple study of 75,000 people. It found that individuals with hearing loss tend to walk more slowly—another reminder of how connected hearing is to overall brain function.
Since using hearing aids, my hearing has improved dramatically. It takes a few weeks to adjust, but once you do, the difference is remarkable. I now pick up sounds I hadn’t noticed before—even distant thunder that others around me miss.
The challenge is that many people don’t realize their hearing is declining. If you find yourself increasing the TV volume, speaking louder than usual, struggling to follow conversations in noisy places, or even noticing changes in your walking pace, it’s worth getting tested. In my opinion, anyone over 40 should consider a hearing check once a year.
Have a blessed day.
Dr. Shawn Pourgol, MBA, DC, DO, DN, PhD
Osteopath, Naprapath, Chiropractor & Founder of:
National Academy of Osteopathy (Canada, USA)
National University of Medical Sciences (USA, Spain, Panama)
Osteopathy Chronic Pain Clinics of Canada (380 clinics in 34 countries)
Florida Naprapathic Association
World Osteopathy Day
