Hearing loss, medications, and hidden health issues can look like memory loss
By the time people reach their mid-50s or 60s, another pattern often appears: the problem is not always memory itself. Sometimes, the brain is not getting clear enough information in the first place. Hearing loss becomes more common with age, and it is associated with cognitive decline in older adults. That does not prove hearing loss directly causes every case of forgetfulness, but it helps explain why conversations become harder to follow. When a person misses part of what was said, the brain has less to store. Later, it may seem like they “forgot,” when in fact they never fully heard or processed the information clearly. Over time, the extra mental effort required to listen can also be exhausting.
Medications and general health problems matter too. NIA lists medication side effects, sleep problems, depression, thyroid problems, low vitamin B12, alcohol or drug misuse, and poor nutrition among possible causes of memory trouble. Certain drugs, especially those that are anticholinergic, can cause confusion and memory loss in older adults, and taking multiple brain-active drugs can increase the risk of memory problems. People over 55 are more likely than younger adults to have several conditions at once and to be taking more medication. The reassuring part is that some of these causes are treatable. A medication review, hearing check, blood work, or treatment for sleep and mood issues can sometimes improve memory.
Find out one major risk for the brain in the next page.