Perspectives from older adults with hearing loss on the link between hearing loss and dementia

Objective: Research and public messaging increasingly highlight a potential link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. This study explores how older adults interpret, evaluate, and respond to messages linking hearing and cognition.Design: Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.Study Sample: Twenty-five Canadians aged 56–97 with self-reported hearing difficulties were recruited through research databases and community advertisements. Results: Four themes were identified. Participants constructed meaning about the hearing loss–dementia link through lived experience, personal theorizing, and interpretations of scientific and professional information (Theme 1: Making Sense of the Message). They evaluated the need for action, the modifiability of hearing and cognition, and the link’s personal relevance (Theme 2: Weighing the Need for Action). Some participants described the link as motivating initial help-seeking, persistence with hearing management, and/or reinforcement of past decisions (Theme 3: Perceived Impact on Hearing Health Behaviours). Certainty and trust in evidence, clinicians, and the hearing healthcare system shaped participants’ interpretations and influenced their willingness to act (Theme 4: Certainty and Trust). Conclusions: Public messages about hearing and cognition are filtered through personal and experiential frameworks, underscoring the importance of clear, balanced, and patient-centred communication when discussing hearing health and cognition.