You may be 40 years old, but could your brain already be showing signs of accelerated aging? New research involving more than 18,000 people suggests that the answer may depend on much more than genetics or your date of birth.

Cognitive Decline

Two often-overlooked areas of brain health are hearing and vision.

Untreated hearing loss has been associated with cognitive decline and dementia risk.

Possible explanations include reduced social engagement, increased cognitive effort during communication, and shared underlying health conditions.

Vision impairment may also affect independence, physical activity, and social participation.

The 2024 Lancet Commission on dementia prevention identified untreated vision loss and high LDL cholesterol as additional modifiable risk factors.

Addressing hearing and vision problems may improve daily functioning and quality of life, while potentially contributing to dementia risk reduction.

What may help: Schedule appropriate hearing and vision assessments,