Alzheimer’s Awareness Month: How Dr. Keith Darrow and Hearing & Brain Centers help lower dementia risk

(Sponsored) Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is a time to spotlight Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, encourage brain health, and support people and families affected by these conditions.

With the world’s population growing older, the need to confront cognitive decline and its risks is increasingly urgent. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, affects more than 7 million Americans age 65 and older, and that number is expected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050.

In recognition of the month, Dr. Keith Darrow, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and clinical audiologist trained at Harvard Medical School and MIT, along with his team at Hearing and Brain Centers of America, has partnered with PreventingDecline.com to offer seniors nationwide a Free Brain Care Score and a Dementia Risk Reduction Library. Through BrainCareHealth.com, seniors can request an appointment to evaluate brain health and access resources and treatments aimed at reducing dementia risk.

The link between hearing health and cognitive decline

Darrow, a leading figure behind the Excellence in Audiology movement, has spent his career connecting hearing care with cognitive well-being. His research points to an important but often overlooked dementia risk factor: untreated hearing loss. The National Institute on Aging says hearing loss is one of the most important modifiable risks for cognitive decline, and studies show that people with moderate hearing loss are twice as likely to develop dementia, while severe hearing loss is associated with a fivefold higher risk.

That relationship is especially concerning because nearly 50 million Americans live with hearing loss, and 1.5 billion people worldwide experience tinnitus, a condition often tied to progressive degenerative disorders that may be early signs of cognitive decline.

Darrow’s message is that hearing loss is not just an inconvenience, but a serious public health concern that can affect brain function. The brain depends on auditory input to stay sharp, and untreated hearing loss can contribute to isolation, less mental stimulation, and faster cognitive decline.

“Hearing loss is the No. 1 modifiable mid-life risk factor for preventing dementia,” Darrow said. “By addressing hearing health early, we can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline and improve quality of life.”

He says his goal is to help seniors take proactive steps for brain health, and his approach is changing how audiology is practiced.

Free Brain Care Score aims to raise awareness

For Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Hearing and Brain Centers of America is expanding community outreach by offering a Free Brain Care Score to seniors. The assessment, available by requesting an appointment through BrainCareHealth.com or by calling 435-291-1236, provides a personalized review of hearing health and a cognitive screening with clear next steps. It is designed to identify early risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia, evaluate their possible effect on brain function, and offer practical recommendations to help reduce risk and support healthier living.

This effort comes at an important time, since early detection and intervention are key to managing dementia risk. The Alzheimer’s Association says as many as 45% of dementia cases may be linked to modifiable factors such as hearing loss, high blood pressure, and physical inactivity. By making the Free Brain Care Score available, Darrow and his team are focusing on one of the most actionable of these risks and giving seniors health education and tools to protect their cognitive well-being.

Dementia Risk Reduction Library gives seniors practical tools

Along with the Free Brain Care Score, Hearing and Brain Centers is offering seniors access to a Dementia Risk Reduction Library, available when an appointment is requested at BrainCareHealth.com. The resource collection, created by Darrow and his team, includes evidence-based information on all 14 modifiable mid-life risk factors for dementia, including his bestselling book “Preventing Decline: Advances in the Medical Treatment of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus,” plus practical guidance on social engagement, physical activity, and nutrition.

The library draws heavily from Darrow’s Amazon bestselling books, “Preventing Decline: Advances in the Medical Treatment of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus” and “Stop Living in Isolation.” Those books explore how modern hearing treatments can improve brain function, enhance quality of life, and may help slow dementia progression. The library also features articles, videos, and podcasts in which Darrow and other wellness experts share science-based strategies for active aging and independence.

One of its central themes is the importance of acting early. The National Institute of Health says changes in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s can begin 20 years before symptoms appear, highlighting the need for proactive care. The Dementia Risk Reduction Library offers seniors practical steps such as eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, and seeking treatment for hearing loss, all of which can help reduce dementia risk.

Dr. Keith Darrow’s role in audiology and dementia research

Darrow’s work in audiology and dementia research has been described as groundbreaking. As the only Harvard Medical and MIT-trained neuroscientist in private-practice audiology, he brings a distinct perspective to the field. His research has been cited more than 1,050 times and has deepened understanding of the neurological effects of hearing loss and its connection to cognitive decline. Through the Excellence in Audiology movement, he has inspired more than 1,296 audiologists and hearing specialists from eight countries to place brain health at the center of their practices.

His patient-care approach has also earned attention. His clinics, which Inc. 500 | 5000 recognized among the fastest-growing audiology practices in North America, have served more than 27,000 community members and reached over 162,000 people through national speaking tours. His practice is known for a service model influenced by the Disney Institute and Ritz-Carlton standards.

“It’s our people, our culture and our commitment to do whatever it takes to serve the best interests of our patients and their families,” Darrow said.

That commitment includes affordable monthly treatment plans and referrals to nonprofit foundations when cost becomes an obstacle.

Darrow also presented at the 6th Edition of Innovations and State of the Art in Alzheimer’s & Dementia in Berlin, Germany, further establishing his role as a global voice in the effort to fight dementia. His presentation emphasized the connection between hearing health and cognitive well-being and helped spark continued discussion and research.

A call to action during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

As Alzheimer’s Awareness Month continues, Darrow and Hearing and Brain Centers are urging seniors and their families to take a more active role in brain health. The Free Brain Care Score and Dementia Risk Reduction Library are designed to give people practical knowledge and concrete next steps. By visiting BrainCareHealth.com, seniors can schedule their free assessment and explore resources that support cognitive health.

The need is significant. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and the financial burden is enormous, with care costs projected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2050. Still, Darrow’s work shows there is reason for hope. Addressing hearing loss and other modifiable risks may help people lower their dementia risk and improve quality of life.

This month, the message is to take action for brain health. Scheduling a Free Brain Care Score, exploring the Dementia Risk Reduction Library, or sharing these resources with loved ones are all meaningful steps. Together, those efforts can raise awareness, reduce dementia risk, and support a future in which cognitive decline is not treated as an unavoidable part of aging.

For more information or to schedule a Free Brain Care Score, visit BrainCareHealth.com. Join Darrow and Hearing and Brain Centers of America in the effort against Alzheimer’s and dementia, and take the first step toward a healthier future.

Visit hearingandbraincenters.com or call 435-291-1236 to schedule an appointment.

Resources

• Hearing and Brain Centers of America | Telephone: 435-291-1236 | Website.
• Locations:
  • St. George | Address: 2557 S. River Road, Suite B4.
  • St. George | Address: 1449 N. 1400 West, Suite 23.
  • Cedar City | Address: 1277 N. Northfield Road, Suite A220.
  • Richfield | Address: 1090 Cove View Road.