The Connection Between Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration & Hearing Loss

Published on February 27, 2026

Glaucoma, macular degeneration, and hearing loss often coexist in older adults, creating a comorbidity that can compound health risks and daily challenges. In this article, we’ll explore the connection among these serious conditions, how dual-sensory decline affects independence and cognition, and why coordinated hearing and vision care is essential for long-term well-being.

Understanding the Eye Conditions: Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma, a top cause of permanent vision loss, refers to a group of eye disorders characterized by damage to the optic nerve. Over time, untreated glaucoma leads to progressive loss of peripheral vision and may advance to central vision loss and blindness.

In addition:

• There are multiple types of glaucoma, including open-angle, angle-closure, and normal-tension.
• Risk factors include older age, family history, African or Hispanic ancestry, high intraocular pressure, vascular factors, and systemic comorbidities.
• Glaucoma is often asymptomatic in early stages, with vision loss going unnoticed until damage is advanced.
• Regular eye exams; intraocular pressure monitoring; and prompt treatment with drops, lasers, or surgery can help slow progression.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration, specifically age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a progressive eye disease that damages the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. As the macula deteriorates, central vision becomes blurred or lost, while peripheral vision usually remains intact.

Types of AMD include:

• Dry (atrophic) AMD — more common, slower progression, involves thinning and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors and can evolve into geographic atrophy
• Wet (neovascular) AMD — less common but more aggressive, involves abnormal blood vessels under the retina that leak fluid or bleed, causing more rapid vision loss

AMD is more common as people age and is linked to family history, smoking, high blood pressure, and cellular stress. Treatments like anti-VEGF injections can slow wet AMD, while research continues for dry AMD and geographic atrophy.

Glaucoma and AMD can occur in the same eye or in different eyes. People with both conditions may have a higher risk of other health problems, such as heart disease or dementia, compared to those with only one eye condition.

Epidemiology and Coexistence Trends

Worldwide, more than 2 billion people experience some level of visual impairment, and over 1.5 billion — almost 1 in 5 — have a degree of hearing loss. These sensory declines can increase with age, potentially affecting daily functioning and quality of life.

In a 2019-released study of 12,899 Korean adults, hearing loss was linked to higher prevalences of eye diseases. Older age, male gender, and elevated triglycerides increased the odds of having glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration alongside hearing loss.

Though the study didn’t prove causation, older age, male gender, and elevated triglycerides were linked to higher odds of hearing loss alongside glaucoma or AMD. Recognizing these patterns can help guide early monitoring and proactive care for hearing and vision health in older adults.

Hearing Loss in Older Adults

Hearing loss, particularly age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), is one of the most common chronic conditions in older adults. Most cases are sensorineural, caused by gradual changes in the inner ear. High-frequency sounds are affected first, making understanding speech in noisy environments increasingly difficult.

By age 60+, nearly 1/3 of adults have a hearing loss. Early stages may go unnoticed because everyday conversations might remain manageable. Over time, hearing loss can strain communication, reduce social engagement, and increase frustration, potentially contributing to isolation, withdrawal, depression, anxiety, and reduced independence.

Hearing loss also increases cognitive load, as the brain works harder to decode sounds. This extra effort can reduce mental resources for memory, comprehension, and problem-solving. When paired with vision problems or eye diseases, the combined effect on daily functioning and cognition can be significant.

How These Conditions Intersect and Compound Risks

Dual-Sensory Decline and Cognitive and Functional Impact

Research links both hearing and vision loss to greater dementia risk, but together they can raise the odds even more.

• In a large 2024-released U.K. study, either hearing or vision loss alone was linked to about a 50% higher risk of developing dementia. When both occurred together, the risk increased even more — about 60% higher for all-cause dementia and more than double for Alzheimer’s disease.
• In a 2022-released U.S. cohort study of more than 2,900 older adults, those with both hearing and vision loss were far more likely to develop dementia. Compared with adults without sensory loss, dual-loss participants had a 160% higher risk of all-cause dementia and a 267% higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
• An earlier study of older U.S. adults, released in 2020, also showed that having both hearing and vision loss greatly increased dementia risk. Compared with adults without sensory loss, however, those with both losses had an 86% higher risk of all-cause dementia and more than double the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Daily Life and Functional Consequences

When someone has glaucoma or AMD and hearing loss, daily challenges can multiply.

• Communication can grow more difficult because both visual and auditory cues are compromised.
• Mobility and safety risks can increase due to limited vision and decreased ability to hear environmental cues.
• Social engagement may decline as conversations become more difficult, driving social withdrawal and isolation.
• Daily tasks, such as reading, managing medications, and following instructions, can become more burdensome.
• Brain fatigue can worsen as the mind works harder to compensate for hearing and vision loss, using mental energy needed for memory, attention, and daily tasks.

Each sensory loss may compound the other, making dual-sensory decline significantly more challenging than either condition alone. For your improved health, consider these recommended next steps:

1. Take the free online hearing screener to assess potential hearing loss.
2. Schedule a full audiological evaluation, especially if you have glaucoma or AMD.
3. Maintain regular eye exams to monitor for glaucoma progression or AMD changes.
4. Share information between your hearing care provider and ophthalmologist to ensure coordinated care.
5. Consider sensory rehabilitation, including vision aids, hearing amplification, and assistive technologies.
6. Stay socially and cognitively active to protect brain health.

By bridging hearing and vision care, older adults can help maintain independence, safety, and cognitive vitality for year to come.

Quick Answers About Hearing and Vision Loss

Can glaucoma cause hearing loss?

Glaucoma does not directly cause hearing loss. Some evidence suggests people with hearing loss may have a slightly higher risk of glaucoma. These conditions often occur together in older adults due to shared factors like age and vascular health.

Does AMD affect hearing?

AMD does not directly cause hearing loss. Both conditions commonly occur with age, so their co-occurrence may be due to shared age-related processes rather than one causing the other.

How much does dual-sensory loss affect dementia risk?

Having both hearing and vision loss can significantly raise dementia risk. People with dual-sensory loss have substantially higher odds of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease than those with only one or neither sensory loss.

What should I do if I have an eye disease and declining hearing?

Get a comprehensive hearing evaluation from an audiologist. Early interventions like hearing aids or cochlear implants can help maintain communication and support cognitive health. Regular eye exams and coordination with health care providers are also important.

Why is coordinated care between hearing and vision professionals important?

Coordinated care ensures strategies for hearing and vision work together effectively. Hearing care providers can adjust for visual limitations, and eye care professionals can consider hearing challenges, helping maintain communication, independence, and quality of life.

How HearingLoss.com® Can Help You Protect Your Senses and Stay Connected

HearingLoss.com connects you with certified hearing care providers, trusted resources, and personalized guidance for effectively managing hearing loss — especially when vision changes are also present.

Take a quick online hearing screener or find a professional near you to get started. With personalized support and the right technology, you can strengthen communication, help protect total health, and maintain a clear connection to the world around you.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Current Glaucoma Programs. https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/php/glaucoma-programs/index.html. Accessed Jan. 21, 2026.
• Hwang PH et al. (2020). Dual Sensory Impairment in Older Adults and Risk of Dementia From the GEM Study. Alzheimer’s & Dementia Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring. 12(1):E12054. https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dad2.12054. Accessed Oct. 29, 2025.
• Hwang PH et al. (2022). Longitudinal Changes in Hearing and Visual Impairments and Risk of Dementia in Older Adults in the United States. JAMA Network Open | Geriatrics. 5(5):e2210734. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2791871. Accessed Oct. 29, 2025.
• Jiang F et al. (2024). A Comprehensive Evaluation on the Associations Between Hearing and Vision Impairments and Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Dementia: Results From Cohort Study, Meta-Analysis and Mendelian Randomization Study. BMC Medicine. 22(1):518. https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-024-03748-7. Accessed Oct. 29, 2025.
• Kim, JM et al. (2019). Relationships Between Hearing Loss and the Prevalences of Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Korea. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 8(7), 1078. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/8/7/1078. Accessed Oct. 29, 2025.
• World Health Organization. (2023). Blindness and Vision Impairment. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment. Accessed Oct. 29, 2025.
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). Deafness and Hearing Loss. https://www.who.int/health-topics/hearing-loss#tab=tab_2. Accessed Oct. 29, 2025.

---

The Hearing Center at Eye Consultants of Atlanta, located in Atlanta, GA, provides complete audiological care to help people live better and hear their best. With comprehensive evaluations, we pinpoint each individual patient’s unique needs and create a personalized audiology treatment plan to improve their hearing and quality of life.