What if one of the simplest, most joyful habits could help keep the aging brain resilient? A new study suggests that tuning into music most days—or making it yourself—may be associated with substantially lower odds of developing dementia.
The findings, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, add fresh weight to the idea that engaging the brain across multiple senses and skills can support long-term cognitive health.
What the study measured
Researchers examined how frequently older adults engaged with music and tracked who went on to develop dementia. Participants reported how often they listened to radio or music, and how often they played a musical instrument (including voice), using a five-category scale: never, rarely (less than once a month), sometimes (1–3 times a month), often (once a week or more), and always (most days).
Importantly, the individuals were cognitively healthy at the start. The study was prospective—meaning the music habits were recorded first, and dementia diagnoses were observed later—helping the researchers probe whether music engagement preceded changes in cognition rather than the other way around.
Striking associations with lower dementia risk
The headline results are eye-catching. Consistently listening to music—defined here as “most days”—was associated with up to a 39 percent reduced risk of dementia. Regularly playing an instrument was linked to a 35 percent reduced risk.
The protective association appeared strongest among people with 16 or more years of education. In that highly educated group, always listening to music was associated with a 63 percent lower risk of developing dementia. By contrast, results were less consistent for those with 12 to 15 years of education, a nuance the authors note warrants further investigation.
These patterns held even after accounting for a range of demographic and health factors. While no observational study can adjust for every possible difference between people, the analysis was designed to reduce the likelihood that the findings are simply the result of who chooses to listen to music or play instruments in the first place.
Why music might matter to the brain
Music is a full-brain workout. Listening recruits networks involved in auditory processing, attention, memory, and emotion. Playing an instrument adds motor planning, sensory feedback, and complex timing, often in synchrony with other people. That blend of stimulation is the kind of multidomain challenge thought to build “cognitive reserve”—the brain’s capacity to adapt and compensate as we age.
Unlike many cognitively demanding activities, music engagement can be tailored to nearly any ability level. A favorite playlist can cue memories and mood; humming or singing taxes breath control and pitch; drumming or keyboard exercises coordinate both hands; and choir practice layers language, timing, and social connection. Each of these components may contribute to resilience in slightly different ways.
Parsing the word “always”
One common point of confusion is the study’s use of “always.” Here, “always” does not mean 24/7 headphones. It means “most days,” a practical, real-world level of regularity akin to a frequent habit.
Similarly, “playing an instrument” included voice. That matters: singing is, in essence, playing a built-in instrument, and it engages breath control, articulation, timing, and listening—all at once.
Correlation, causation, and caveats
As compelling as the associations are, they do not prove that music itself prevents dementia. It is possible that people predisposed to maintain cognitive health are more likely to keep up music habits, or that music engagement travels alongside other beneficial behaviors the study could not fully capture.
The measures of music exposure were self-reported and relatively coarse; the study did not quantify hours per day, volume, or genre. Nor can it disentangle whether passive background listening, attentive listening, active practice, or social music-making provide distinct benefits. Hearing health is another consideration: hearing loss is a known dementia risk factor and can affect how, and how often, people engage with music.
Even so, the prospective design—starting with cognitively intact participants—and the persistence of the association across analytic checks strengthen the case that music engagement is a meaningful piece of the cognitive-health puzzle.
What this could mean for aging well
One quiet strength of these findings is accessibility. Music is widely available, low-cost, and adaptable. For some, it might mean reviving an old habit—dusting off a guitar, booking a piano lesson, or joining a community choir. For others, it could be as simple as curating a daily listening routine that includes new pieces as well as familiar favorites.
There is also a role for creative aging programs: memory-care sing-alongs, intergenerational ensembles, or drumming circles that promote social connection alongside cognitive stimulation. While more research is needed to test cause-and-effect and to identify the most effective forms of engagement, these community options align with what the data suggest—regular, meaningful interaction with music may support brain health.
Education’s intriguing role
The stronger association among highly educated participants adds an interesting twist. Education is often used as a proxy for cognitive reserve—lifetime learning and mental complexity. People with more years of formal schooling may engage with music differently, perhaps with more focused attention or analytical listening, or they may combine music with other cognitively engaging routines.
Alternatively, the education effect may flag other social or health differences not fully captured in the data. The authors themselves call for more work to understand why the association stands out most clearly in the most educated group and why it is less consistent in those with 12 to 15 years of education.