Using hearing aids has been found to have a positive impact on cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss who are also at risk for memory and thinking problems, according to recent research. A large clinical trial called the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) found that using hearing aids for three years reduced the rates of cognitive decline in this population by half.
While previous research has established a link between hearing loss and dementia, the ACHIEVE study was the first randomized, controlled clinical trial to examine the effect of intervening with hearing aids. The study’s results were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference and published in The Lancet.
Dr. David Knopman, a Mayo Clinic neurologist and study co-investigator, explains that the study demonstrated the benefits of delaying cognitive decline in individuals aged 75 and older with hearing loss. He emphasizes that older individuals who are at risk for cognitive decline, but are still cognitively normal and able to use and maintain hearing aids, are likely to experience some benefit.
The ACHIEVE study recruited nearly 1,000 participants aged 70 to 84 with untreated hearing loss and no substantial cognitive impairment. The three-year intervention included the use of hearing aids, a hearing toolkit, and ongoing instruction and counseling with an audiologist.
In the total study group, hearing aids did not reduce cognitive decline. However, the hearing intervention slowed cognitive decline by 48% in older adults with mild to moderate hearing loss participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, which focuses on heart health.
Dr. Knopman notes that besides the potential cognitive benefits, hearing aids can also improve the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss at any age. He emphasizes that hearing loss is a disability that impacts daily life and should be addressed with hearing aids, regardless of the additional long-term benefit of delaying cognitive decline.
Hearing and memory are separate but interconnected brain processes that play crucial roles in daily functioning and communication. A combination of good hearing and intact memory allows individuals to process and understand information effectively.
According to researchers involved in the ACHIEVE study, almost two-thirds of adults over age 60 have some degree of hearing loss.
In conclusion, the use of hearing aids has been shown to slow cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss and at risk for memory and thinking problems. This finding highlights the importance of addressing hearing loss as a means to maintain cognitive function and overall quality of life.
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