WHO Recommends Hearing Treatment to Ensure Good Health and Quality of Life
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
By Michele DiStefano, Director of Audiology
As an audiologist at the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC), I frequently discuss with my clients the importance of hearing health and the impact it can have on our physical, emotional, and brain health. Lately, though, I don't have to raise the topic—my clients are doing that for me, as coverage has grown, plus new guidance from the World Health Organization encouraging treatment with hearing aids.
Hearing Aids and Cognitive Decline
Hearing loss affects more than just the ability to hear—it can influence many aspects of daily life. When left untreated, hearing loss can make conversations more difficult, increase the effort required to listen, and make it harder to stay engaged in social situations. Hence, people with hearing loss have a higher risk for loneliness and social isolation. Loneliness is an established risk factor for dementia.
According to an ACHIEVE study, older adults who treated hearing loss with hearing aids increased and maintained meaningful social connections. (Reed et al., 2025). Therefore, recognizing hearing loss early and seeking appropriate support and treatment can help people stay healthy and connected, communicate more confidently, and continue participating fully in the activities that matter most. And, the most effective way to treat hearing loss is to obtain hearing aids.
Hearing Impacts Our Health in Many Ways
The latest revision to guidelines by WHO highly encourages treatment of hearing loss with hearing aids for improved overall health and quality of life. We've known for some time that untreated hearing loss puts older adults at risk for cognitive decline and dementia.
Hearing loss, in fact, is well-established as the number one modifiable risk factor in preventing dementia and cognitive decline. It’s also linked to an increased risk of depression, falls, and hospitalizations and readmissions. With the WHO encouraging hearing aid treatment, hopefully more people will take steps to address their hearing loss in this way.
What You Can Do
Given all of this, it’s so important to obtain a complete hearing evaluation as soon as you notice any difficulties hearing and communicating. Once you have this evaluation, the audiologist can better guide you on your need for hearing aids and which type of hearing aids—prescription or over-the-counter—might be appropriate.
Join me in helping to spread the word that hearing health matters. If you know someone struggling with untreated hearing issues, encourage them to see an audiologist and get their hearing tested. Their health depends on it!
About the Author
Michele DiStefano, AuD, CCC-A, is Director of CHC's Shelley and Steven Einhorn Audiology Center and Berelson Hearing Technology Center. Dr. DiStefano joined CHC in 2017 with expertise in pediatric audiology honed at Beth Israel Medical Center, Clarke Schools, and New York Eye and Ear. A graduate of the audiology program at CUNY-Brooklyn College and the doctoral program at ATSU Still University, Dr. DiStefano sees children and adults at CHC with a focus on comprehensive diagnostic testing, fitting of amplification/FM systems, post-fitting counseling, and Early Intervention.
