Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, led a new study to explore the connection between treating hearing loss and preserving brain health in older adults.
The study included almost 1,000 adults aged 70-84 with untreated hearing loss but still had normal cognitive function. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either a hearing or a control group.
- The hearing group received a complete audiological evaluation, counseling about hearing loss, and fitting and use of hearing aids over three years.
- The control group received general health education on diet, exercise, and preventing chronic illness.
- Both groups had cognitive testing at the start of the study and then every six months for the duration of the 3-year study.
Results
The group receiving hearing aids did not show significantly less cognitive decline after three years than the control group.
However, the researchers discovered an interesting result when examining a subset of participants at high risk for cognitive decline due to their heightened risk of cardiovascular disease.
- In this higher-risk group, hearing aids did reduce cognitive decline compared to the control group.
Why it matters
The number of people living with dementia and other types of cognitive impairment steadily increases.
- Safe and affordable interventions are needed to prevent or slow age-related cognitive decline.
- Treating hearing loss helps delay cognitive decline in people at higher risk.
- Hearing aids amplified sound, improved social engagement, and improved participants’ moods, benefits that promote brain health.
Hearing loss is very treatable in later life, which makes it an important public health target to reduce risk of cognitive decline and dementia,” —Dr. Lin
The takeaway
Be sure to get your hearing screened.
- Hearing aids provide cognitive benefits, especially if you have other risk factors such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and chronic kidney disease.
- Even if you don't need hearing aids today, getting your hearing screened now establishes a baseline for monitoring your hearing health in the future.
We recommend for general health and well-being that older adults have their hearing checked regularly and any hearing issues properly addressed. —Dr. Lin
You can reduce your risk of dementia and cognitive decline
Call to schedule a free, 15-minute hearing screening with an audiologist. Don't guess about hearing loss. Find out.
If you have hearing loss, your audiologist will explain —
- How much hearing you've lost
- Whether your hearing needs treatment
- The hearing-aid options available to treat your hearing loss
Don't let untreated hearing loss threaten your health and happiness.
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