A recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery assessed how much hearing loss contributes to the risk of developing dementia in older adults. Using data from nearly 3,000 individuals aged 66 to 90 without dementia at the start of the study, researchers found that 66% had hearing loss when measured objectively. Over eight years, they estimated that about 32% of new dementia cases could be attributed to hearing loss, with similar contributions from both mild and moderate-to-severe hearing loss. Interestingly, self-reported hearing difficulties were not linked to increased dementia risk, suggesting that many people may underestimate their hearing problems. The impact of hearing loss on dementia risk was particularly strong among individuals aged 75 and older, women, and White participants. These findings highlight the importance of identifying and treating hearing loss as a potentially powerful way to reduce dementia risk in aging populations.
A recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology examined the relationship between newly reported hearing loss and the risk of developing dementia among U.S. adults. Utilizing data from the Health and Retirement Study spanning 2010 to 2018, researchers analyzed 13,599 participants who initially reported no hearing loss or hearing aid use. Over the course of eight years, 8.3% of these individuals reported incident hearing loss. The findings revealed that participants who developed hearing loss had a higher incidence of dementia (6.6%) compared to those without hearing loss (4.9%). Notably, the increased risk became significant starting four years after the onset of hearing loss and persisted through the eighth year, with a relative risk of 1.34 (95% CI: 1.05–1.59). Subgroup analyses indicated that this association was particularly pronounced among individuals aged 50–64 and those with cardiovascular disease. These results underscore the importance of early detection and intervention for hearing loss, especially in midlife and among individuals with cardiovascular conditions, as a potential strategy to mitigate the risk of dementia.
A recent nationwide study from South Korea investigated the relationship between auditory rehabilitation methods and the risk of developing dementia in individuals aged 40 to 79 with severe to profound hearing loss. Participants were categorized into four groups: those who received cochlear implants (CI), those who used hearing aids (HA), those who received no auditory rehabilitation (NR), and a control group with normal hearing (NHL). Over a follow-up period extending to 2022, the study found that individuals who underwent cochlear implantation had a significantly lower incidence of dementia compared to both the HA and NR groups. Notably, the dementia risk for the CI group was comparable to that of individuals with normal hearing. These findings suggest that cochlear implantation may effectively mitigate the increased dementia risk associated with severe hearing loss, potentially restoring cognitive risk levels to those observed in the general population without hearing impairment.
A study published in the Journal of Aging and Health examined the factors associated with hearing aid use among people living with dementia and age-related hearing loss. Drawing on data from 239 participants across five European countries, the study found that hearing aid use was more likely among individuals who recognized their own hearing difficulties, had better measured hearing acuity, and maintained higher cognitive functioning. Interestingly, those with milder hearing loss were more proactive in using hearing aids, possibly due to greater awareness and capacity to manage the devices. The study also highlighted significant differences based on country of residence, with participants in England more likely to use hearing aids compared to those in countries like Cyprus, France, or Ireland. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions that account for self-perception, cognitive ability, and healthcare system differences to improve hearing aid uptake among people with dementia.
A recent study from the Centre for Brain Research at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, explored the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive function in an Indian cohort. The researchers assessed 589 individuals aged 45 and older using handheld audiometry, cognitive tests, and MRI scans. The study found a high prevalence of hearing loss in the population and revealed that individuals with hearing loss were 1.69 times more likely to have cognitive impairment than those with normal hearing. Neuroimaging further showed that participants with both hearing loss and cognitive impairment had reduced gray matter volume in brain regions associated with auditory processing and memory, such as the temporal lobes and hippocampus. These findings highlight the importance of early detection and management of hearing loss as a strategy to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Given the widespread occurrence of hearing loss in India, incorporating hearing screening into routine health care for older adults could have significant public health benefits.
A 25-year longitudinal study from the Maastricht Aging Study investigated the associations between hearing loss (HL), visual loss (VL), cognitive decline, and dementia risk in adults aged 24 to 82. The study found that participants with HL experienced faster declines in verbal memory, processing speed, and executive function compared to those without HL. However, HL was not linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. VL showed no consistent association with cognitive decline or dementia risk, though individuals with below-average visual acuity exhibited some decline in processing speed and executive function. These findings suggest that HL is an independent risk factor for cognitive decline, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention to preserve cognitive health.
A recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (2010–2018) to examine whether initiating hearing aid use among adults aged 50 and older with self-reported hearing loss could reduce the risk of developing dementia. The study included 2,314 participants who had not used hearing aids in the previous two years and were free of dementia at baseline. Over an 8-year follow-up period, those who began using hearing aids experienced a 5% lower cumulative incidence of dementia compared to those who did not initiate hearing aid use (risk difference: −0.05; 95% CI: −0.08 to −0.01). The protective effect was particularly notable among adults aged 50–74, men, and individuals with cardiovascular disease These findings suggest that early adoption of hearing aids may help reduce the risk of dementia, especially in midlife adults and those with existing cardiovascular conditions. The study underscores the potential cognitive benefits of addressing hearing loss through timely intervention.
A recent cross-sectional study published in JAMA Network Open examined the prevalence of hearing loss and hearing aid use among older adults living with dementia in the United States. Utilizing data from the 2021 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), researchers analyzed a nationally representative sample of 2,613 Medicare beneficiaries aged 71 years and older. The study found that approximately 79.4% of individuals with dementia had measurable hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss increased with age, ranging from 61.1% among those aged 71–74 years to 94.2% among those aged 85 years and older. Despite the high prevalence, only 21.7% of participants with hearing loss reported using hearing aids. These findings highlight a significant gap in the management of hearing loss among older adults with dementia. Addressing this gap presents a potential opportunity for interventions aimed at improving communication, reducing cognitive load, and enhancing the quality of life for this population.
A 2024 Mendelian randomization study published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy investigated whether hearing impairment causally contributes to dementia and cognitive decline. By analyzing genetic data, the researchers aimed to determine if hearing loss directly increases the risk of various dementia types and impairs cognitive functions. The study found that genetically determined hearing impairment is associated with an elevated risk of several dementia subtypes: Conductive and sensorineural hearing loss (CSHL) was linked to higher risks of Lewy body dementia (DLB) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).Conductive hearing loss (CHL) showed a causal relationship with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) was associated with a greater risk of semantic dementia. Additionally, both CHL and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SIHL) were linked to declines in general cognitive performance and fluid intelligence. Further analysis suggested that the relationship between hearing impairment and dementia may be mediated by factors such as loneliness, depressed mood, and reduced brain cortical volume, particularly in the medial temporal gyrus. Notably, this association was not significantly influenced by aging or ischemic stroke.These findings underscore the importance of addressing hearing impairment as a modifiable risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline.
A large-scale study utilizing UK Biobank data examined the relationship between chronic tinnitus, aging, and dementia risk. The researchers found that individuals over 58 years old were significantly more likely to report tinnitus, with each additional year of age increasing the odds. However, when controlling for factors such as hearing loss and other health variables, tinnitus did not independently raise the risk of developing dementia. This suggests that while tinnitus becomes more common with age, it is not a direct contributor to dementia. The findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between age-related auditory changes and neurodegenerative processes when assessing cognitive health.
A recent study from the Rotterdam Study examined how hearing loss in older adults relates to changes in the brain's white matter over time. Researchers found that individuals with hearing impairment experienced more rapid deterioration in white matter microstructure, particularly in regions associated with auditory processing and cognitive functions. These findings suggest that hearing loss may contribute to structural brain changes, potentially increasing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The study underscores the importance of early detection and management of hearing loss to help preserve brain health in aging populations.
A recent study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry investigated the relationship between peripheral hearing loss at age 70 and subsequent brain atrophy and cognitive decline. The study analyzed data from 287 participants, all born in the same week of 1946, who underwent baseline hearing assessments and follow-up cognitive evaluations and brain imaging over approximately 2.4 years. Findings indicated that individuals with hearing impairment experienced faster rates of whole brain atrophy compared to those with normal hearing. Additionally, greater hearing loss was associated with accelerated hippocampal atrophy. Importantly, in participants with hearing impairment, faster brain atrophy correlated with more significant cognitive decline. These associations were independent of Alzheimer's disease markers, suggesting that hearing loss may contribute to dementia risk through distinct pathways.
A recent study analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (2010–2020) to examine how sensory impairments—specifically vision and hearing loss—affect the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease over a decade. The study included over 20,000 U.S. adults aged 50 and older who did not have dementia at the start. Participants were categorized based on self-reported sensory status: no impairment, vision impairment only, hearing impairment only, or both (dual impairment).The findings revealed that individuals with both vision and hearing impairments had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without sensory impairments. Specifically, dual sensory impairment was associated with a 46% increased risk of dementia and a 35% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Notably, vision impairment alone was linked to a higher risk of these conditions among individuals under 65 years of age. In contrast, hearing impairment alone was not significantly associated with increased risk. These results suggest that addressing sensory impairments, particularly vision loss and combined vision and hearing loss, may be important for reducing the risk of cognitive decline in older adults.
The 2024 update of the Lancet Commission on dementia provides new hopeful evidence about dementia prevention, intervention, and care. As people live longer, the number of people who live with dementia continues to rise, even as the age-specific incidence decreases in high-income countries, emphasising the need to identify and implement prevention approaches. We have summarised the new research since the 2020 report of the Lancet Commission on dementia, prioritising systematic reviews and meta-analyses and triangulating findings from different studies showing how cognitive and physical reserve develop across the life course and how reducing vascular damage (eg, by reducing smoking and treating high blood pressure) is likely to have contributed to a reduction in age-related dementia incidence. Evidence is increasing and is now stronger than before that tackling the many risk factors for dementia that we modelled previously (ie, less education, hearing loss, hypertension, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption [ie, >21 UK units, equivalent to >12 US units], traumatic brain injury [TBI], air pollution, and social isolation) reduces the risk of developing dementia. In this report, we add the new compelling evidence that untreated vision loss and high LDL cholesterol are risk factors for dementia.
We comprehensively summarized the cohort evidence to date on adult-onset hearing loss as risk factor for incident cognitive impairment and dementia, and examined the evidence for dose-response, risk for various dementia subtypes, and other moderators. Previous meta-analyses were less comprehensive. We included cohort studies with participants without dementia and with hearing assessments at baseline, minimum 2 years follow-up and incident cognitive outcomes. We identified fifty studies (N=1,548,754). Cohort studies consistently support that adult-onset hearing loss increases the risk of incident cognitive decline, dementia, MCI, and ADD.
Although a causal association remains to be determined, epidemiologic evidence suggests an association between hearing loss and increased risk of dementia. If we determine the association is causal, opportunity for targeted intervention for hearing loss may play a fundamental role in dementia prevention. In this discussion, we summarize current research on the association between hearing loss and dementia and review potential casual mechanisms behind the association (e.g., sensory-deprivation hypothesis, information-degradation hypothesis, common cause).
More recently, hearing loss has been shown as a marker of risk for dementia. However, it is not known whether this association represents a causal impact of hearing loss, nor whether treating hearing loss may help prevent dementia. Most studies on relationships between hearing loss and cognitive outcomes are observational, are at risk of confounding, and cannot reach conclusions about causation. Encouraging policymakers, patients, and other health care practitioners to address hearing loss in terms of dementia prevention may be inappropriate on the grounds of both relevance at individual level and lack of clear evidence of benefit. We suggest that treating hearing loss may have important benefits in preventing or delaying diagnosis of dementia via improving orientation and functioning in daily life, without changing the underlying pathology. Rather than linking hearing loss to dementia risk, we suggest a positive message focusing on the known benefits of addressing hearing loss in terms of improved communication, quality of life, and healthy aging.
Hearing loss is independently associated with incident all-cause dementia. Whether hearing loss is a marker for early-stage dementia or is actually a modifiable risk factor for dementia deserves further study.
Hearing loss is independently associated with accelerated cognitive decline and incident cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults. Further studies investigating the mechanistic basis of this association and whether hearing rehabilitative interventions could affect cognitive decline are needed.
Adjusting for numerous confounders, an increased risk of disability and dementia was found for participants reporting hearing problems. An increased risk of depression was found in men reporting hearing problems. In additional exploratory analyses, such associations were not found in those participants using hearing aids. Mortality was not associated with self-reported hearing loss. Our study confirms the strong link between hearing status and the risk of disability, dementia, and depression. These results highlight the importance of assessing the consequences of treating hearing loss in elders in further studies.
This data provides a large-scale longitudinal analysis on the association between hearing loss and cognition, supporting the hypothesis that use of hearing aids maintains cognitive function over time. This warrants further exploration as an easily modifiable risk factor for cognitive impairment in older adults.
An independent association was observed between cognition and subclinical HL. The association between hearing and cognition may be present earlier in HL than previously understood. Studies investigating whether treating HL can prevent impaired cognition and dementia should consider a lower threshold for defining HL than the current 25-dB threshold.
Identifies hearing impairment as the biggest potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia, accounting for 8%. Use of hearing aids for hearing loss is and reduce hearing loss by protection of ears from excessive noise exposure is encouraged in dementia prevention strategies as ways of maintaining or increasing cognitive reserve.
MCI participants that used hearing aids were at significantly lower risk of developing all-cause dementia compared to those not using hearing aids (P = 0.004). Among hearing-impaired adults, hearing aid use was independently associated with reduced dementia risk. The causality between hearing aid use and incident dementia should be further tested.
Hearing impairment was associated with increased risk of MCI and an accelerated rate of cognitive decline (P < .001). Hearing aid users were less likely to develop MCI than hearing-impaired individuals who did not use a hearing aid (P = .001). No difference in risk of MCI was observed between individuals with normal hearing and hearing-impaired adults using hearing aids (P = .51). Use of hearing aids may help mitigate cognitive decline associated with hearing loss.
The findings from this report suggest that the timely identification of hearing loss and subsequent acquisition of hearing aids may be important considerations for reducing declines in cognitive function that manifests differently in U.S. population subgroups.
The hearing intervention did not reduce 3-year cognitive decline in the primary analysis of the total cohort. However, a prespecified sensitivity analysis showed that the effect differed between the two study populations that comprised the cohort. In the ARIC cohort, the hearing intervention was associated with a 48% reduction in 3-year cognitive change compared with in the health education control group. These findings suggest that a hearing intervention might reduce cognitive change over 3 years in populations of older adults at increased risk for cognitive decline but not in populations at decreased risk for cognitive decline.
The results of this cohort study suggest that hearing loss was associated with increased dementia risk, especially among people not using hearing aids, suggesting that hearing aids might prevent or delay the onset and progression of dementia. The risk estimates were lower than in previous studies, highlighting the need for more high-quality longitudinal studies.
Regular hearing aid use was associated with lower risks of mortality than in never users in US adults with hearing loss when accounting for age, hearing loss, and other potential confounders. Future research is needed to investigate the potential protective role of hearing aid use against mortality for adults with hearing loss.
Hearing loss and its relation to cognition in Indian cohort: A behavioral and neuroimaging study.
A recent study from the Centre for Brain Research at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, explored the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive function in an Indian cohort. The researchers assessed 589 individuals aged 45 and older using handheld audiometry, cognitive tests, and MRI scans. The study found a high prevalence of hearing loss in the population and revealed that individuals with hearing loss were 1.69 times more likely to have cognitive impairment than those with normal hearing. Neuroimaging further showed that participants with both hearing loss and cognitive impairment had reduced gray matter volume in brain regions associated with auditory processing and memory, such as the temporal lobes and hippocampus. These findings highlight the importance of early detection and management of hearing loss as a strategy to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Given the widespread occurrence of hearing loss in India, incorporating hearing screening into routine health care for older adults could have significant public health benefits.
April 2025
Incident Hearing Loss and Subsequent Risk of Dementia: The Health and Retirement Study 2010-2018.
A recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology examined the relationship between newly reported hearing loss and the risk of developing dementia among U.S. adults. Utilizing data from the Health and Retirement Study spanning 2010 to 2018, researchers analyzed 13,599 participants who initially reported no hearing loss or hearing aid use. Over the course of eight years, 8.3% of these individuals reported incident hearing loss. The findings revealed that participants who developed hearing loss had a higher incidence of dementia (6.6%) compared to those without hearing loss (4.9%). Notably, the increased risk became significant starting four years after the onset of hearing loss and persisted through the eighth year, with a relative risk of 1.34 (95% CI: 1.05–1.59). Subgroup analyses indicated that this association was particularly pronounced among individuals aged 50–64 and those with cardiovascular disease. These results underscore the importance of early detection and intervention for hearing loss, especially in midlife and among individuals with cardiovascular conditions, as a potential strategy to mitigate the risk of dementia.
April 2025
Population Attributable Fraction of Incident Dementia Associated With Hearing Loss.
A recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery assessed how much hearing loss contributes to the risk of developing dementia in older adults. Using data from nearly 3,000 individuals aged 66 to 90 without dementia at the start of the study, researchers found that 66% had hearing loss when measured objectively. Over eight years, they estimated that about 32% of new dementia cases could be attributed to hearing loss, with similar contributions from both mild and moderate-to-severe hearing loss. Interestingly, self-reported hearing difficulties were not linked to increased dementia risk, suggesting that many people may underestimate their hearing problems. The impact of hearing loss on dementia risk was particularly strong among individuals aged 75 and older, women, and White participants. These findings highlight the importance of identifying and treating hearing loss as a potentially powerful way to reduce dementia risk in aging populations.
April 2025
Cochlear Implantation Is Associated With Reduced Incidence of Dementia in Severe Hearing Loss
A recent nationwide study from South Korea investigated the relationship between auditory rehabilitation methods and the risk of developing dementia in individuals aged 40 to 79 with severe to profound hearing loss. Participants were categorized into four groups: those who received cochlear implants (CI), those who used hearing aids (HA), those who received no auditory rehabilitation (NR), and a control group with normal hearing (NHL). Over a follow-up period extending to 2022, the study found that individuals who underwent cochlear implantation had a significantly lower incidence of dementia compared to both the HA and NR groups. Notably, the dementia risk for the CI group was comparable to that of individuals with normal hearing. These findings suggest that cochlear implantation may effectively mitigate the increased dementia risk associated with severe hearing loss, potentially restoring cognitive risk levels to those observed in the general population without hearing impairment.
April 2025
What are the Correlates of Hearing Aid Use for People Living With Dementia?
A study published in the Journal of Aging and Health examined the factors associated with hearing aid use among people living with dementia and age-related hearing loss. Drawing on data from 239 participants across five European countries, the study found that hearing aid use was more likely among individuals who recognized their own hearing difficulties, had better measured hearing acuity, and maintained higher cognitive functioning. Interestingly, those with milder hearing loss were more proactive in using hearing aids, possibly due to greater awareness and capacity to manage the devices. The study also highlighted significant differences based on country of residence, with participants in England more likely to use hearing aids compared to those in countries like Cyprus, France, or Ireland. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions that account for self-perception, cognitive ability, and healthcare system differences to improve hearing aid uptake among people with dementia.
March 2025
Associations of hearing and visual loss with cognitive decline and dementia risk: a 25-year follow-up of the Maastricht Aging Study
A 25-year longitudinal study from the Maastricht Aging Study investigated the associations between hearing loss (HL), visual loss (VL), cognitive decline, and dementia risk in adults aged 24 to 82. The study found that participants with HL experienced faster declines in verbal memory, processing speed, and executive function compared to those without HL. However, HL was not linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. VL showed no consistent association with cognitive decline or dementia risk, though individuals with below-average visual acuity exhibited some decline in processing speed and executive function. These findings suggest that HL is an independent risk factor for cognitive decline, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention to preserve cognitive health.
November 2024
Initiation of Hearing Aids Use and Incident Dementia Among Mid-to-late Life Adults: The Health and Retirement Study 2010-2018
A recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (2010–2018) to examine whether initiating hearing aid use among adults aged 50 and older with self-reported hearing loss could reduce the risk of developing dementia. The study included 2,314 participants who had not used hearing aids in the previous two years and were free of dementia at baseline. Over an 8-year follow-up period, those who began using hearing aids experienced a 5% lower cumulative incidence of dementia compared to those who did not initiate hearing aid use (risk difference: −0.05; 95% CI: −0.08 to −0.01). The protective effect was particularly notable among adults aged 50–74, men, and individuals with cardiovascular disease These findings suggest that early adoption of hearing aids may help reduce the risk of dementia, especially in midlife adults and those with existing cardiovascular conditions. The study underscores the potential cognitive benefits of addressing hearing loss through timely intervention.
November 2024
Chronic tinnitus is associated with aging but not dementia
A large-scale study utilizing UK Biobank data examined the relationship between chronic tinnitus, aging, and dementia risk. The researchers found that individuals over 58 years old were significantly more likely to report tinnitus, with each additional year of age increasing the odds. However, when controlling for factors such as hearing loss and other health variables, tinnitus did not independently raise the risk of developing dementia. This suggests that while tinnitus becomes more common with age, it is not a direct contributor to dementia. The findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between age-related auditory changes and neurodegenerative processes when assessing cognitive health.
October 2024
Hearing loss and its relation to longitudinal changes in white matter microstructure in older adults: The Rotterdam Study
A recent study from the Rotterdam Study examined how hearing loss in older adults relates to changes in the brain's white matter over time. Researchers found that individuals with hearing impairment experienced more rapid deterioration in white matter microstructure, particularly in regions associated with auditory processing and cognitive functions. These findings suggest that hearing loss may contribute to structural brain changes, potentially increasing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The study underscores the importance of early detection and management of hearing loss to help preserve brain health in aging populations.
October 2024
Relationship between hearing impairment and dementia and cognitive function: a Mendelian randomization study.
A 2024 Mendelian randomization study published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy investigated whether hearing impairment causally contributes to dementia and cognitive decline. By analyzing genetic data, the researchers aimed to determine if hearing loss directly increases the risk of various dementia types and impairs cognitive functions. The study found that genetically determined hearing impairment is associated with an elevated risk of several dementia subtypes: Conductive and sensorineural hearing loss (CSHL) was linked to higher risks of Lewy body dementia (DLB) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).Conductive hearing loss (CHL) showed a causal relationship with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) was associated with a greater risk of semantic dementia. Additionally, both CHL and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SIHL) were linked to declines in general cognitive performance and fluid intelligence. Further analysis suggested that the relationship between hearing impairment and dementia may be mediated by factors such as loneliness, depressed mood, and reduced brain cortical volume, particularly in the medial temporal gyrus. Notably, this association was not significantly influenced by aging or ischemic stroke.These findings underscore the importance of addressing hearing impairment as a modifiable risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline.
October 2024
Prevalence of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Use Among Persons Living With Dementia in the US.
A recent cross-sectional study published in JAMA Network Open examined the prevalence of hearing loss and hearing aid use among older adults living with dementia in the United States. Utilizing data from the 2021 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), researchers analyzed a nationally representative sample of 2,613 Medicare beneficiaries aged 71 years and older. The study found that approximately 79.4% of individuals with dementia had measurable hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss increased with age, ranging from 61.1% among those aged 71–74 years to 94.2% among those aged 85 years and older. Despite the high prevalence, only 21.7% of participants with hearing loss reported using hearing aids. These findings highlight a significant gap in the management of hearing loss among older adults with dementia. Addressing this gap presents a potential opportunity for interventions aimed at improving communication, reducing cognitive load, and enhancing the quality of life for this population.
October 2024
The Associations of Sensory Impairment With 10-Year Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Health and Retirement Study, 2010-2020
A recent study analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (2010–2020) to examine how sensory impairments—specifically vision and hearing loss—affect the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease over a decade. The study included over 20,000 U.S. adults aged 50 and older who did not have dementia at the start. Participants were categorized based on self-reported sensory status: no impairment, vision impairment only, hearing impairment only, or both (dual impairment).The findings revealed that individuals with both vision and hearing impairments had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without sensory impairments. Specifically, dual sensory impairment was associated with a 46% increased risk of dementia and a 35% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Notably, vision impairment alone was linked to a higher risk of these conditions among individuals under 65 years of age. In contrast, hearing impairment alone was not significantly associated with increased risk. These results suggest that addressing sensory impairments, particularly vision loss and combined vision and hearing loss, may be important for reducing the risk of cognitive decline in older adults.
August 2024
Peripheral hearing loss at age 70 predicts brain atrophy and associated cognitive change
A recent study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry investigated the relationship between peripheral hearing loss at age 70 and subsequent brain atrophy and cognitive decline. The study analyzed data from 287 participants, all born in the same week of 1946, who underwent baseline hearing assessments and follow-up cognitive evaluations and brain imaging over approximately 2.4 years. Findings indicated that individuals with hearing impairment experienced faster rates of whole brain atrophy compared to those with normal hearing. Additionally, greater hearing loss was associated with accelerated hippocampal atrophy. Importantly, in participants with hearing impairment, faster brain atrophy correlated with more significant cognitive decline. These associations were independent of Alzheimer's disease markers, suggesting that hearing loss may contribute to dementia risk through distinct pathways.
August 2024
Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission
The 2024 update of the Lancet Commission on dementia provides new hopeful evidence about dementia prevention, intervention, and care. As people live longer, the number of people who live with dementia continues to rise, even as the age-specific incidence decreases in high-income countries, emphasising the need to identify and implement prevention approaches. We have summarised the new research since the 2020 report of the Lancet Commission on dementia, prioritising systematic reviews and meta-analyses and triangulating findings from different studies showing how cognitive and physical reserve develop across the life course and how reducing vascular damage (eg, by reducing smoking and treating high blood pressure) is likely to have contributed to a reduction in age-related dementia incidence. Evidence is increasing and is now stronger than before that tackling the many risk factors for dementia that we modelled previously (ie, less education, hearing loss, hypertension, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption [ie, >21 UK units, equivalent to >12 US units], traumatic brain injury [TBI], air pollution, and social isolation) reduces the risk of developing dementia. In this report, we add the new compelling evidence that untreated vision loss and high LDL cholesterol are risk factors for dementia.
July 2024
Adult-onset hearing loss and incident cognitive impairment and dementia – A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
We comprehensively summarized the cohort evidence to date on adult-onset hearing loss as risk factor for incident cognitive impairment and dementia, and examined the evidence for dose-response, risk for various dementia subtypes, and other moderators. Previous meta-analyses were less comprehensive. We included cohort studies with participants without dementia and with hearing assessments at baseline, minimum 2 years follow-up and incident cognitive outcomes. We identified fifty studies (N=1,548,754). Cohort studies consistently support that adult-onset hearing loss increases the risk of incident cognitive decline, dementia, MCI, and ADD.
May 2024
Hearing Loss and Dementia: Where to From Here?
More recently, hearing loss has been shown as a marker of risk for dementia. However, it is not known whether this association represents a causal impact of hearing loss, nor whether treating hearing loss may help prevent dementia. Most studies on relationships between hearing loss and cognitive outcomes are observational, are at risk of confounding, and cannot reach conclusions about causation. Encouraging policymakers, patients, and other health care practitioners to address hearing loss in terms of dementia prevention may be inappropriate on the grounds of both relevance at individual level and lack of clear evidence of benefit. We suggest that treating hearing loss may have important benefits in preventing or delaying diagnosis of dementia via improving orientation and functioning in daily life, without changing the underlying pathology. Rather than linking hearing loss to dementia risk, we suggest a positive message focusing on the known benefits of addressing hearing loss in terms of improved communication, quality of life, and healthy aging.
May 2024
Association between hearing aid use and mortality in adults with hearing loss in the USA: a mortality follow-up study of a cross-sectional cohort
Regular hearing aid use was associated with lower risks of mortality than in never users in US adults with hearing loss when accounting for age, hearing loss, and other potential confounders. Future research is needed to investigate the potential protective role of hearing aid use against mortality for adults with hearing loss.
January 2024
Hearing Loss, Hearing Aid Use, and Risk of Dementia in Older Adults
The results of this cohort study suggest that hearing loss was associated with increased dementia risk, especially among people not using hearing aids, suggesting that hearing aids might prevent or delay the onset and progression of dementia. The risk estimates were lower than in previous studies, highlighting the need for more high-quality longitudinal studies.
January 2024
Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA (ACHIEVE): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial
The hearing intervention did not reduce 3-year cognitive decline in the primary analysis of the total cohort. However, a prespecified sensitivity analysis showed that the effect differed between the two study populations that comprised the cohort. In the ARIC cohort, the hearing intervention was associated with a 48% reduction in 3-year cognitive change compared with in the health education control group. These findings suggest that a hearing intervention might reduce cognitive change over 3 years in populations of older adults at increased risk for cognitive decline but not in populations at decreased risk for cognitive decline.
July 2023
Self-reported hearing loss, hearing aid use, and cognitive function among U.S. older adults
The findings from this report suggest that the timely identification of hearing loss and subsequent acquisition of hearing aids may be important considerations for reducing declines in cognitive function that manifests differently in U.S. population subgroups.
June 2022
Hearing Loss and Cognition: What We Know and Where We Need to Go
Although a causal association remains to be determined, epidemiologic evidence suggests an association between hearing loss and increased risk of dementia. If we determine the association is causal, opportunity for targeted intervention for hearing loss may play a fundamental role in dementia prevention. In this discussion, we summarize current research on the association between hearing loss and dementia and review potential casual mechanisms behind the association (e.g., sensory-deprivation hypothesis, information-degradation hypothesis, common cause).
February 2022
The impact of hearing impairment and hearing aid use on progression to mild cognitive impairment in cognitively healthy adults: An observational cohort study
Hearing impairment was associated with increased risk of MCI and an accelerated rate of cognitive decline (P < .001). Hearing aid users were less likely to develop MCI than hearing-impaired individuals who did not use a hearing aid (P = .001). No difference in risk of MCI was observed between individuals with normal hearing and hearing-impaired adults using hearing aids (P = .51). Use of hearing aids may help mitigate cognitive decline associated with hearing loss.
February 2022
Association of the use of hearing aids with the conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia and progression of dementia: A longitudinal retrospective study
MCI participants that used hearing aids were at significantly lower risk of developing all-cause dementia compared to those not using hearing aids (P = 0.004). Among hearing-impaired adults, hearing aid use was independently associated with reduced dementia risk. The causality between hearing aid use and incident dementia should be further tested.
February 2021
Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission
Identifies hearing impairment as the biggest potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia, accounting for 8%. Use of hearing aids for hearing loss is and reduce hearing loss by protection of ears from excessive noise exposure is encouraged in dementia prevention strategies as ways of maintaining or increasing cognitive reserve.
August 2020
Use Of Hearing Aids In Older Adults With Hearing Loss Is Associated With Improved Cognitive Trajectory
This data provides a large-scale longitudinal analysis on the association between hearing loss and cognition, supporting the hypothesis that use of hearing aids maintains cognitive function over time. This warrants further exploration as an easily modifiable risk factor for cognitive impairment in older adults.
January 2020
Death, Depression, Disability, and Dementia Associated With Self-reported Hearing Problems: A 25-Year Study
Adjusting for numerous confounders, an increased risk of disability and dementia was found for participants reporting hearing problems. An increased risk of depression was found in men reporting hearing problems. In additional exploratory analyses, such associations were not found in those participants using hearing aids. Mortality was not associated with self-reported hearing loss. Our study confirms the strong link between hearing status and the risk of disability, dementia, and depression. These results highlight the importance of assessing the consequences of treating hearing loss in elders in further studies.
September 2018
Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline Among Older Adults
Hearing loss is independently associated with accelerated cognitive decline and incident cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults. Further studies investigating the mechanistic basis of this association and whether hearing rehabilitative interventions could affect cognitive decline are needed.
December 2013
Hearing loss and incident dementia
Hearing loss is independently associated with incident all-cause dementia. Whether hearing loss is a marker for early-stage dementia or is actually a modifiable risk factor for dementia deserves further study.
February 2011
Association of Subclinical Hearing Loss With Cognitive Performance
An independent association was observed between cognition and subclinical HL. The association between hearing and cognition may be present earlier in HL than previously understood. Studies investigating whether treating HL can prevent impaired cognition and dementia should consider a lower threshold for defining HL than the current 25-dB threshold.
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