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A beef producer in her 60s, Fiona Gover, is sharing her journey of overcoming midlife hearing loss and the importance of addressing this issue following new evidence linking it to dementia. Fiona, who farms in the New Forest, experienced a decline in her hearing to the point where she couldn’t hear cattle sneaking up behind her. As part of the Alzheimer’s Society’s “Love your ears” campaign, she highlights the need for farmers to pay attention to signs of hearing loss and not ignore them.

Fiona’s husband’s encouragement finally prompted her to get a hearing test after years of denial. She had been relying on lip-reading and missing out on conversations without realizing the extent of her hearing loss. Working alone with animals, Fiona also recognizes the safety implications of not being able to hear properly, especially around unpredictable livestock. Since getting hearing aids for both ears, Fiona has noticed a significant improvement in her hearing, energy levels, and overall wellbeing.

Research published by The Lancet Commission shows that addressing hearing loss in midlife can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia. Audiologist Rosie Aylward explains that individuals with hearing problems between the ages of 40 and 65 have an increased risk of dementia later in life. Mild hearing loss doubles the risk, moderate loss triples it, and severe loss may increase it by up to five times. Studies have demonstrated that wearing hearing aids can help slow cognitive decline.

For Fiona, putting on her hearing aids first thing in the morning has become a vital part of her routine, helping her feel fully engaged and alive. She urges others to prioritize their hearing health for overall brain function and wellbeing. By sharing her story, Fiona hopes to raise awareness about the connection between hearing loss and dementia and encourage others to seek help if they are experiencing similar issues.

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