Your Audiologist Should Be Screening Your Brain Health. Here’s Why.
By Dr. Layne Garrett, Au.D., FAAA, ABAC, CH-TM, CDP (About | YouTube | Podcast | LinkedIn)
Date Published: February 6, 2026 3:30PM
Introduction
When was the last time you had a brain health screening?
Most people never have.
Here’s the problem: your hearing test and your brain health are connected. Therefore, if we only test your ears, we may miss the bigger story.
That’s why comprehensive hearing evaluations should include a quick cognitive screening. We need to understand both hearing and processing.
If you’d rather watch than read, I break this down in a video here.
Key Takeaways
- Untreated hearing loss increases cognitive strain and social withdrawal
- The 2024 Lancet Commission listed hearing loss as a major modifiable dementia risk factor
- Modern cognitive screening is fast, visual, and doesn’t depend on hearing ability
- Screening doesn’t diagnose dementia—it helps decide whether to look deeper
- Not all audiologists screen cognitive function (but they should)
Table of Contents
- The Connection Between Hearing and Brain Health
- What the 2024 Lancet Commission Found
- Why Audiologists Are Uniquely Positioned to Screen
- The Problem With Traditional Cognitive Tests
- How Modern Screening Technology Works
- What This Means for Your Care
- What This Means If You’re in Utah
- FAQ
The Connection Between Hearing and Brain Health
Your ears and your brain are more connected than most people realize.
If we only check one without the other, we miss something critical.
The Pattern I See Most Often
A family brings in a loved one. They’re convinced memory problems are developing.
The family has noticed confusion. Trouble following conversations. Withdrawal from social situations.
It looks exactly like early cognitive decline.
However, when we test their hearing, we discover moderate to severe untreated hearing loss. Fortunately, once we address it, many of those “cognitive” symptoms improve dramatically.
On the other hand, the reverse happens too.
Someone comes in thinking they just need hearing aids. But during the evaluation, I notice they’re struggling with more than hearing.
They can’t remember instructions I gave five minutes ago. They have trouble with simple problem-solving. These aren’t hearing issues—these are signs something else is happening.
This Is Where People Get Misled
They assume hearing and thinking are separate systems.
However, your brain doesn’t work that way.
When hearing signals degrade, your brain has to work harder to fill in the gaps. That extra work has a cost.
Think of your brain like a smartphone battery. You only get so much power each day.
For example, with untreated hearing loss, your brain spends extra energy just trying to decode speech. That can leave less energy for:
- Memory
- Focus
- Problem-solving
- Feeling mentally “fresh” at the end of the day
As a result, there’s the social effect.
If conversations feel exhausting, people start opting out. And isolation is rough on brain health.
What the 2024 Lancet Commission Found
In plain English: hearing loss isn’t just an ear issue—it’s a brain-risk issue.
A massive research study published in 2024—the Lancet Commission on Dementia—spent years asking one question.
What can we actually do to help prevent dementia?
In their research, they identified 14 modifiable risk factors. Things we can influence—not genetics, not age, but real levers.
One of the biggest? Untreated hearing loss in midlife.
What the Numbers Show
The research shows that properly treating hearing loss could potentially prevent about 7% of dementia cases worldwide.
Moreover, when you add in the things that often come with untreated hearing loss—depression, social isolation, loneliness—that number climbs to nearly 14%.
In other words: one in seven cases of dementia might be preventable by addressing hearing and social connection.
The Hopeful Part
This is no longer theoretical. Instead, this is evidence-based.
So protecting hearing is part of protecting the brain.
Why Audiologists Are Uniquely Positioned to Screen
Here’s the key question: if hearing loss and brain health are this connected, why wouldn’t we check both at the same time?
That’s exactly what leading researchers and professional organizations like the American Academy of Audiology are now recommending.
Cognitive screening should be part of every comprehensive hearing evaluation.
Why This Makes Clinical Sense
Here’s why audiologists are in a unique spot.
We spend real time with patients. During evaluations, I watch how they follow instructions. That’s when I notice something feels “off.”
Because of this time with patients, we see patterns that primary care doctors don’t have time to catch during a 15-minute appointment.
Here’s the clinical pattern I’ve observed over 20 years: Hearing loss and cognitive decline can look almost identical in their early stages.
I can’t count how many times a family believes their loved one has dementia when it’s actually untreated hearing loss. Or the reverse—someone thinks they just need hearing aids, but cognitive changes are happening simultaneously.
Why Early Detection Matters
If we don’t screen both, we’re only seeing half the picture.
And early identification matters. Specifically, the earlier we detect changes, the more options you have.
That means:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Medical referrals
- Optimized hearing management strategies
- All of which can help support long-term brain health
The Problem With Traditional Cognitive Tests
So why isn’t cognitive screening already standard practice in audiology clinics?
The Tools Weren’t Practical
Traditional tools like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or the Mini-Cog take 15 to 20 minutes. Furthermore, they require staff time and are difficult to implement in a busy practice.
However, there’s a bigger problem.
These Tests Rely on Hearing
You’re asking someone with hearing loss to repeat words. Follow verbal instructions. Listen for auditory cues.
Consequently, a low score might reflect hearing difficulty—not actual cognitive function.
To be blunt: If you’re using a hearing-dependent test to screen someone who just failed a hearing test, you’re not getting reliable information.
That’s not acceptable in 2026 when better options exist.
Additionally, these tests can also be influenced by education level, language background, and cultural factors. Far from ideal.
Therefore, even though we’ve known about the hearing-brain connection for years, the tools simply weren’t practical or reliable in a hearing clinic—until recently.
How Modern Screening Technology Works
Fortunately, the newer screening technology has changed everything.
What We Use in Our Clinics
In our American Fork and Spanish Fork clinics, we use a computerized system called Cognivue.
It takes about five minutes and is fully self-administered. Moreover, there’s no verbal component.
No auditory instructions. No scoring errors influenced by hearing loss. Results are immediate.
Why This Works for People With Hearing Loss
In addition, it’s not affected by education level or whether English is your first language.
Because everything is visual and motor-response based, it works perfectly for people with hearing loss.
Specifically, the test adjusts to you in real time. If you’re doing well, it gets slightly harder. If you’re struggling, it eases up.
That’s how it stays accurate in about five minutes.
What It Measures
The system measures:
- Memory
- How your brain understands shapes and space
- Planning, focus, and decision-making
- Reaction time
- Processing speed
And we can track your results over time to identify changes early.
This approach is FDA-cleared, built from NIH-funded research, and specifically designed for patients with sensory impairments.
What This Means for Your Care
When you come into our clinic for a hearing evaluation, you’re getting a comprehensive look at both your hearing and your brain health.
So here’s how we use that information.
If Hearing Loss Is Present but Screening Is Strong
As a result, this tells me we can be proactive with hearing aids. Together, we’ll build a personalized plan to protect your long-term brain function.
This approach works well because the technology is likely to be effective. Our focus centers on optimizing your hearing to reduce cognitive load.
If Screening Shows Early Changes
First, that doesn’t mean you have dementia.
Rather, it simply means we should look deeper.
I’ll coordinate with your primary care provider. Or I’ll refer you to a neurologist for follow-up.
Because we caught it early, you have more options for intervention.
If Both Are Present
In this case, I adjust your care plan significantly.
We might use more assistive technology beyond just hearing aids. Family members get involved more closely in communication strategies. Ultimately, our approach fits your specific cognitive and hearing profile.
The Pattern That Matters Most
Patients who get comprehensive hearing care—where we manage both auditory input and cognitive function—typically stay more socially engaged.
Additionally, they maintain better communication with loved ones and preserve independence longer.
That’s compared to those who only address hearing in isolation.
My focus isn’t just on your ears. It’s on your hearing, your brain, your relationships, and your quality of life.
What This Means If You’re in Utah
The science is clear. Your hearing and your brain are deeply connected.
Taking care of one supports the other.
The 2024 Lancet Commission identified untreated hearing loss as one of the largest modifiable dementia risk factors. And treating hearing loss early helps support long-term cognitive health.
Not All Hearing Care Is Equal
However, here’s what this means practically.
Some clinics still treat hearing as an isolated problem. Those providers fit hearing aids without considering cognitive function. Often, they don’t screen for early changes or coordinate care with your other providers.
In our clinic, that’s not how we work.
Over 20 years in practice, I’ve learned this: the patients who do best are the ones who get comprehensive evaluation and management from the start.
Specifically, not just a hearing test—a complete picture of how their auditory system and brain are functioning together.
Getting Comprehensive Care in Utah County
If you’re anywhere from Lehi to Payson—whether you’re in American Fork, Orem, Provo, or Spanish Fork—this level of care is available locally.
Fortunately, you don’t need to travel to Salt Lake City or out of state.
Specifically, our clinics in American Fork and Spanish Fork specialize in the hearing-brain connection. We include cognitive screening as part of every comprehensive evaluation.
We use evidence-based protocols. And we coordinate with your medical team when needed.
When You’re Ready to Experience Comprehensive Hearing Care
Schedule your free consultation – we’ll evaluate both your hearing and cognitive function. Then we’ll discuss what makes sense for your specific situation.
Most patients tell us the clarity they get about their options—and the relief of understanding what’s actually happening—is worth the appointment alone.
Or call us at (385) 332-4325 – speak with our team directly about your concerns or questions about cognitive screening.
Want to learn more first? Visit our Learning Center for detailed information on hearing, brain health, and the connection between them.
FAQ
Does cognitive screening diagnose dementia?
No. Cognitive screening is not a diagnostic tool—it’s a screening tool.
Think of it like blood pressure measurement. If your blood pressure is elevated, that doesn’t mean you have heart disease. It means we should look closer.
Same principle here. If screening shows changes, we refer you to appropriate specialists for comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
Will my insurance cover cognitive screening?
Most hearing evaluations are covered by insurance. Cognitive screening is often included as part of a comprehensive evaluation.
We’ll verify your specific coverage and let you know before any testing.
What happens if the screening shows early changes?
First, we discuss the results with you in plain language.
Then we coordinate with your primary care physician or refer you to a neurologist for follow-up.
Early detection gives you more options—lifestyle changes, medical management, optimized hearing care—all of which can help support brain health.
How long does cognitive screening take?
About five minutes.
It’s self-administered on a computer. It requires no verbal responses. Results are immediate.
We review those results with you during the same appointment.
Should everyone get cognitive screening with their hearing test?
We recommend it for:
- Adults over 50
- Anyone with hearing loss
- Anyone with a family history of dementia
- Anyone who’s noticed changes in memory or thinking
But honestly, there’s no downside to baseline screening. It gives us something to compare against in the future.
About the Author
Dr. Layne Garrett, Au.D., FAAA, ABAC, CH-TM, CDP is the founder of Timpanogos Hearing & Tinnitus.
Links: About | YouTube | Podcast | LinkedIn
Reviewed/Edited By
Reviewed/Edited by: Dr. Layne Garrett, Au.D., FAAA, ABAC, CH-TM, CDP
Date: February 6, 2026 3:30PM
