A new study published in The Lancet found that using hearing aids reduced the risk of cognitive decline by 48% in older adults who were already at higher risk. Cognitive decline ranges from mild impairment to dementia.
For a decade, research has established that hearing loss is a significant risk factor for dementia. Yet it wasn't clear if treating hearing loss with hearing aids would reduce the risk.
The researchers designed the first randomized control study to respond to this uncertainty.
The decline in thinking ability may involve
- Brain strain from processing muddled sounds from worn-out cochleas
- Structural changes in the brain, including brain shrinkage
- Reduced social engagement
- Combinations of these hypotheses
As everyone lives longer, the number of people with dementia over time are going up," —Dr. Frank Lin, co-principal investigator, Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Why it matters
Intervening early with hearing aids builds resilience against cognitive decline and dementia.
- A 48% reduction in the risk of cognitive decline in the higher-risk group is compelling evidence that hearing aids reduce the risk of dementia.
- The benefits of hearing aids extend to the early stages of hearing decline.
That was very impressive to see that in the unhealthy individuals they were able to slow the rate of cognitive decline by 48%," —Dr. Thomas Holland, a physician-scientist at the Rush Institute for Health Aging.
Details
- The study involved over 3,000 participants randomly assigned to receive either counseling on disease prevention or treatment from an audiologist with hearing aids.
- Researchers followed up with the groups every six months for three years. After the study, participants were given a score from a comprehensive neurocognitive test.
- After 3 years, those at higher risk who received hearing aids showed significantly slower cognitive decline than the control group.
Intervening earlier to either prevent the disease process altogether or to help build resilience in the face of a disease process is ideal. —Dr. Frank Lin
Prioritize your cognitive health
Call to schedule a free, 15-minute hearing screening with an audiologist.
Don't guess about hearing loss. Find out now.
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 cost you your memory.
