An 80-year-old British man diagnosed with dementia three years ago has been offered a record deal after online videos of him singing in the car went viral, adding to proof that a person’s favourite tunes can prompt memory and emotion.

Of course, hearing issues will impact the efficacy of music therapy on dementia patients. Worryingly, many people with dementia are unable to express that they have hearing loss to nursing staff who are often not trained to diagnose hearing problems.

Ironically, research increasingly shows that untreated hearing loss can actually accelerate brain tissue loss and lead to cognitive disease. A recent John Hopkins study found that even mild hearing loss substantially increases the risk of dementia.

It’s really very important that hearing ability is evaluated so that someone with both hearing loss AND dementia has the best chance of remaining engaged with their family and environment for as long as possible.  Care staff should be trained in recognising hearing problems, and in helping people who need hearing aids to use them, so that they too can sing.

When needed, hearing aids can quell anxiety inducing tinnitus, and clinical evidence show that music and environmental sounds have a soothing effect, even after the understanding of speech is gone.