Dr. Bonnie L. Baehr, Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology) — Audiologist and Founder, Beverly Hills Hearing Center, Beverly Hills, California. Dr. Baehr founded Beverly Hills Hearing Center in 1983 and prior to that practiced at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles as a staff audiologist for seven years, where she was involved with diagnostic testing, hearing aid evaluations, research, and rehabilitation. She completed her clinical fellowship training at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in downtown Los Angeles. Dr. Baehr is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, the California Academy of Audiology, and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
Latest posts by Dr. Bonnie L. Baehr, Au.D. (see all)
- How Hearing Issues Complicate Dementia Diagnosis - November 2, 2026
- The Future of Hearing Tech in Self-Driving Cars - October 30, 2026
- Preventing Hearing Loss: Tips and Strategies - October 16, 2026
Dementia diagnosis can be challenging because memory, attention, language, and thinking can change for many reasons. Hearing loss can make that process even more complicated. When a person cannot hear questions clearly, they may appear confused, forgetful, or unable to respond. These signs can sometimes resemble symptoms associated with dementia.
The distinction matters. Hearing problems do not automatically mean dementia. A careful evaluation should consider both hearing and cognitive health.
Hearing and the Brain Work Together
Hearing is more than simply detecting sound. The brain must also process sounds and give them meaning. When hearing is reduced, a person may miss parts of words or sentences. The brain then has to work harder to fill in the missing information.
This can be especially difficult during conversations in busy rooms. Background noise, soft voices, or fast speech may make communication harder. A person may answer incorrectly because they did not hear the question fully, not because they failed to understand it.
The hearing loss information provided by Beverly Hills Hearing explains that hearing loss can have different types, causes, and levels of severity.
Why Hearing Loss Can Look Like Confusion
Imagine asking an older adult a question while sitting in a noisy room. If the person hears only part of the question, they may give an unrelated answer. If this happens several times, family members may worry that memory or thinking problems are developing.
Hearing loss can also cause people to withdraw from conversations. They may stop responding because following the discussion is tiring. Someone who appears distracted may actually be struggling to hear.
These situations show why hearing should be considered when a person may be experiencing changes in thinking or communication.
Hearing Testing Can Add Important Information
A hearing evaluation can help determine whether hearing problems are affecting communication. Testing can measure how well a person hears different sounds and understands speech.
A hearing health professional can also discuss the person’s history, daily listening challenges, and concerns from family members. This information may help distinguish a hearing problem from other causes of communication difficulties.
Beverly Hills Hearing provides information about what happens during a hearing test and evaluation, including the consultation, ear examination, hearing tests, and discussion of results.
Hearing Loss and Dementia Can Occur Together
It is possible for a person to have both hearing loss and dementia. These conditions should not be treated as the same problem.
Research has found an association between hearing loss and cognitive decline, but an association does not mean that hearing loss alone proves dementia is present. Other health factors can also affect cognitive function.
Because hearing loss is common among older adults, it is important to identify it rather than assume that every communication problem comes from memory loss.
Helping During a Medical Evaluation
Family members can make communication easier by reducing background noise and ensuring the speaker can be seen. Speaking clearly at a normal pace may also help.
If hearing devices are used, they should be working properly. Family members can tell medical professionals about known hearing difficulties and explain situations where communication becomes difficult.
Written information may also be useful when instructions are important. These simple steps can help reduce misunderstandings during appointments.
Avoiding a Quick Conclusion
A person who struggles to answer questions should not automatically be labeled as confused. Hearing ability, language skills, medication effects, stress, fatigue, and other health conditions can influence communication.
A complete evaluation can provide a better understanding of what is happening. Addressing hearing concerns may also make future conversations and medical appointments easier.
Supporting Better Communication
Hearing issues can complicate dementia diagnosis because communication is an important part of evaluating memory and thinking. If a person cannot hear the questions being asked, the results may not accurately reflect their abilities.
The best approach is to consider hearing health. Hearing testing, clear communication, and careful medical evaluation can help families and professionals make better-informed decisions. When hearing concerns are identified early, a hearing health professional can explain available options and help improve communication while other health questions are being evaluated.