Research

Learning more about the link between hearing problems and dementia

Researchers know there’s a link between hearing problems and dementia, but we need to understand more about what this link means.

Chris Hardy is exploring the connection between them.

Based at University College London’s Dementia Research Centre, he’s researching a process he calls ‘brain hearing’.

‘We hear with our ears, but we also hear with our brains,’ says Chris.

‘On a daily basis, our brains work incredibly hard to focus on what one person is saying against a cacophony of background noise.’

Testing how the brain processes sounds

Chris is looking at whether testing how a person’s brain processes what they hear could detect dementia before they develop other symptoms.

‘My research has shown that people with different forms of dementia have problems with brain hearing, and we’re now exploring if there might be a window of opportunity to test it.’

He hopes this will eventually complement existing tests, as well as help develop new therapies.

This would allow us to identify people who might benefit from new dementia drugs.

‘It might also inform the design of new smart hearing aids or brain hearing training that could really make a difference to people living with dementia.’

Motivation for dementia research

Something that drives Chris on in this pioneering work is his passion to make a difference.

‘I chose to do my PhD in neurodegenerative disease because my grandmother sadly had Alzheimer’s disease.

‘She was the kindest person I have ever known, and I’d like to think she’d be proud of me now.’

Chris was the second researcher selected for the Carol Jennings Fellowship, named after the late dementia campaigner and Society Vice-President.

He says working with people who have different forms of dementia is a daily inspiration.

‘I think people who give up their time and their energy to take part in our research are incredibly brave. 

It’s always a genuine honour to meet them and learn from and about them.

‘But at the same time that can be quite emotionally challenging – particularly if it’s a participant who I’ve known for a little while.’

The next generation of dementia researchers

Chris is passionate about supporting the next generation of researchers and describes his working days as busy and varied.

He says it’s an honour to be funded by the Society.

‘The support goes beyond just the financial side of things. For instance, I have been assigned a team of volunteers with personal experience of dementia who I meet with on a regular basis to give updates on my progress.

‘It’s incredibly motivating to know that the funding to support this research has come from people who have given their all to fundraise for the Society while doing incredible things.’