Untreated hearing loss is the single largest modifiable risk factor for dementia — accounting for 8% of all cases. Early detection and intervention protect cognitive function and quality of life. TympaHealth makes early intervention accessible at the point of care.
The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care — the most comprehensive evidence review in the field — is unambiguous.
Of all dementia cases are directly attributable to untreated hearing loss
Lancet Commission, 2020
Higher dementia risk in adults with moderate hearing loss who go untreated
Lin et al., Johns Hopkins, 2011
Average time hearing loss goes undetected and untreated after onset
NIDCD Estimates
People will have disabling hearing loss globally by 2050
WHO Global Report, 2021
Of all modifiable risk factors for dementia, untreated hearing loss has the greatest population-level impact — and is one of the most actionable.
Three evidence-based mechanisms link untreated hearing loss to dementia risk.
When the brain must constantly compensate for degraded auditory input, cognitive resources are diverted from memory and executive function — accelerating decline over time.
Difficulty hearing leads to social withdrawal. Isolation is itself an independent risk factor for dementia — creating a compounding effect on cognitive health.
Reduced auditory stimulation may cause structural changes in brain regions associated with memory and language processing. Early intervention preserves neural pathways.
The evidence is clear. The opportunity to act is now. TympaHealth closes the gap between what we know and what clinicians can do.
The Lancet Commission identified untreated hearing loss as the single largest modifiable risk factor for dementia — ahead of physical inactivity, smoking, and depression combined.
On average, hearing loss goes undetected for 5 years after onset. During this window, neural changes compound silently. By the time symptoms are obvious, significant damage may already have occurred.
Most primary care settings lack the tools to screen for hearing loss effectively. Patients are referred to audiology — if at all — long after a problem has developed.
TympaHealth integrates a multi-frequency hearing screen into the primary care encounter. Any provider can screen any patient in 5 minutes — flagging risk early, when intervention has the greatest impact.
The Tympa System gives every primary care provider the tools to screen, detect, and act — without specialist referral delays.
Multi-frequency pure-tone audiometry (500 Hz – 8 kHz) integrated into the standard primary care visit. Flag hearing loss before patients notice symptoms.
4K video otoscopy identifies cerumen impaction — the leading reversible cause of acquired hearing loss. Removing wax can immediately restore hearing and reduce cognitive load.
Add hearing screening to your existing cognitive wellness, annual physical, or geriatric assessment workflows. Seamless EMR documentation keeps everything in the patient record.
Track hearing function over time for at-risk patients. Trend data in the Tympa dashboard enables evidence-based intervention decisions at every visit.
CPT® codes 92502, 69210, and 92551 make hearing screening a revenue-generating service — not just a cost center. The clinical and financial case both support routine screening.
When follow-up is needed, Tympa's audiogram reports give audiologists and ENT specialists the clinical context they need — reducing unnecessary appointments.
"The Lancet research is clear: hearing health is brain health. We now screen every patient over 50 for hearing loss as part of our cognitive wellness program. TympaHealth makes it simple and effective."
"When we explain to patients that untreated hearing loss increases dementia risk, they take it seriously. TympaHealth helps us address the problem immediately instead of referring out and losing follow-through."
"Investing in hearing health is investing in brain health. The research is compelling, and TympaHealth provides the tools to act on it in everyday practice — simply, quickly, and profitably."
TympaHealth makes routine hearing screening as simple as measuring blood pressure — so you can protect cognitive health at scale.
Start Screening Today →Learn how TympaHealth supports early hearing intervention and dementia prevention at the point of care.
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