Hear Better, Live Longer: Protecting Hearing and Brain Health

Most of us expect some hearing loss as we get older. But what if changes in hearing have implications that extend well beyond our ears?

In this episode of the Living to 100 Club, Dr. Joe Casciani welcomes Dr. Bob Keefer, Alzheimer’s prevention advocate. Bob is the author of Hear Better, Live Longer, so tune in for a conversation about the connection between hearing loss, brain health, and healthy aging. What are facts around hearing loss in older adults?

We explore what the research tells us—and what it doesn’t—about hearing loss as a modifiable risk factor for dementia. Bob explains why hearing deserves greater attention as part of brain health. We also discuss what happens when hearing loss goes untreated, and why many people wait years before seeking help.

We also turn to the hearing-care system itself. What constitutes best practice in evaluating and treating hearing loss? Are consumers consistently receiving it? And with hearing aids remaining expensive and traditional Medicare coverage limited, what needs to change to make effective hearing care more accessible?

Finally, we discuss what each of us can do now—from recognizing early signs of hearing difficulty to starting a conversation with a family member who insists, “I hear well enough.”

Mini Bio

Dr. Bob Keefer is an Alzheimer’s Prevention Advocate on a mission to change how America treats hearing loss. Robert is a former audiology-clinic founder and member of the National Advisory Council to the NIH. He connects two stories most people keep separate: the powerful link between untreated hearing loss and Alzheimer’s, and the hearing-care industry’s failure to consistently follow best practices. Through his books Hear Better Live Longer and The Alzheimer’s/Hearing Aid Paradox, he shows audiences how well-fitted hearing aids can protect memory, independence, and quality of life — and why Medicare reform can’t wait.

For Our Listeners

Our Guest's Websites: Hear Better, Live Longer