It is common to have hearing loss as you get older. Untreated hearing loss makes your brain work harder to understand what you are hearing. This can put you at risk for memory loss and confusion.

If you already have hearing loss, take steps so you don’t lose more. Hearing aids may be helpful because they help you understand what others are saying. This can lead to improved relationships with others.

Follow these steps to reduce your risk for hearing loss:

• Talk with your doctor annually about your hearing.
• Avoid loud environments whenever possible.
• Wear earplugs or earmuffs in noisy places.
• Lower the volume when wearing headphones or earbuds.
• Limit the length of time you are exposed to loud sounds.
• Use quieter appliances and equipment when available.

Learn more about hearing loss:

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Hearing Loss 
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 
• Hearing Industries Association 
• American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)

Falls, motor vehicle crashes, assaults, and sports injuries can all result in head injury. Any blow to your head can injure your brain. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can damage your brain and cause problems with your abilities to learn and think. Repeated TBIs may increase your risk for long-term memory loss and confusion.

Learn more about brain injury:

• HHS Office of Acquired Brain Injury 
• About Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion 
• Alzheimer’s Association – Traumatic Brain Injury 
• Brain Injury Association of America 

Diabetes can damage blood vessels, which results in reduced or blocked blood flow to the brain. This can increase your risks for Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, and confusion. It is important to keep your blood sugar levels under control to stay healthy. Visit your doctor regularly to help manage your diabetes.

Here are some other ways to help you manage your blood sugar and protect your brain health:

• Eat healthy meal
• Exercise regularly
• Take medications as prescribed
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Do not use tobacco products
• Monitor your blood pressure

Learn more about diabetes:

• Texas DSHS Diabetes Program 
• American Diabetes Association 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Diabetes 
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 

Smoking can affect your brain health. When you smoke, it increases the risk of problems with your heart and blood vessels. Those problems are linked to common forms of dementia. Also, toxins in cigarette smoke can cause stress to your cells, which is linked to memory loss, problems with thinking, and confusion.

Quitting smoking is beneficial to your health at any age, even for people who have smoked for many years or have smoked heavily. After just two weeks to three months, lung function increases. After one year, the risk of a heart attack drops.

Most people find that a combination of resources and tools work best to quit smoking.

Here are some tips to help:

• Calling the QuitLine can be the key to your success! Call 1-877-YES-QUIT (1-877-937-7848) or enroll online at YesQuit.org.
• Know the triggers that make you want to smoke.
• Consider nicotine replacement products such as lozenges, patches, or gum.
• Don’t get discouraged if you slip. Most people try several times before they can quit for good.
• Talk with your healthcare provider about other tools and approaches that can help you stop smoking.
• Use a date or event as a motivation for stopping, such as a New Year’s resolution.

Learn more about quitting smoking:

• What you Need to Know About Quitting Smoking: Advice from the Surgeon General 
• National Cancer Institute Smokefree.gov 
• How to Quit Smoking 

Having healthy blood pressure can lower your risk for memory loss and confusion. Follow your health care provider’s guidance to manage your blood pressure.

Learn more about blood pressure:

• DSHS Resources on Home Blood Pressure Monitoring 
• Mind Your Risks 
• Take Brain Health to Heart 
• High Blood Pressure 
• Million Hearts 

A healthy diet can help improve your overall health, including brain health. A healthy diet:

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
• Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
• Stays within your daily calorie needs.

Please talk to your health care provider about how you can have a healthy diet.

Learn more about healthy diets:

• Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020, 8th Edition 
• ChooseMyPlate 

People with heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes have a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other type of dementia.

Heart health is directly related to brain health. Your heart pumps about 20% of your body’s blood supply to the brain. This blood flow delivers oxygen and other essential nutrients to your brain to support functions like memory, focus, and problem-solving.

Practicing heart-healthy habits can make an enormous difference. Regardless of where you might be in life, it’s never too late to focus on improving and preserving your heart and brain health.

DSHS has created a helpful resource on tips for prioritizing heart and brain health.  

Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain - Steps for protecting your heart, brain, and body (en español)