Hearing loss presents often times like dementia: confusion, isolation, depression, defensiveness. – because the person can’t hear! It’s scary and frustrating to not be able to hear well or at all anymore and to feel left out. But too many times, people with hearing loss are quickly given a cursory diagnosis of dementia. Now *that’s* really scary! There is something logically called “Rule Out’s” in medicine and mental health. So, in this case, it is critical to rule out hearing loss before making a dementia diagnosis.

Here’s an excellent article with further thoughts on this very topic:

Dementia or just new batteries needed?