Delaying a Dementia Diagnosis May Be Possible by Treating Hearing Loss

Individuals who are at risk of cognitive decline can potentially reduce their risk by 50% through the use of hearing aids. This intriguing finding has led experts to question whether governments should prioritize hearing health as a means of reducing the risk of dementia, as reported by CNN. Previous research has already established a link between hearing loss and dementia. However, this recent study aimed to determine if a simple intervention like hearing aids could actually reduce the risk. The study involved nearly 1,000 participants divided into two groups: healthy community volunteers and older adults with lower cognition scores and more risk factors for cognitive decline. Each participant was randomly assigned to receive counseling from an audiologist, which included the provision of hearing aids.

After a three-year period, all participants underwent a comprehensive neurocognitive test. The study, published in the esteemed medical journal The Lancet, revealed that “the hearing intervention did not reduce 3-year cognitive decline in the primary analysis of the total cohort.” However, researchers did observe a positive difference among the higher risk group. According to the Independent, older adults who received hearing aids experienced a 48% lower cognitive decline compared to those who did not. Dr. Frank Lin from Johns Hopkins University, the lead author of the study, believes these findings provide convincing evidence that addressing hearing loss can be a powerful tool in protecting cognitive function and potentially delaying the onset of dementia.

There are various connections between hearing health and cognitive function. As people age, their cochlear function naturally declines, and this puts a greater strain on the brain to comprehend sounds. Additionally, hearing loss may lead to the shrinking of certain parts of the brain and discourage individuals from engaging in social activities, which are known to promote cognitive health. However, Dr. Charles Marshall from Queen Mary University, who was not involved in the study, cautions that the results do not definitively prove whether hearing aids actually prevent dementia or simply enhance cognitive testing performance. It’s worth noting that hearing aids are now available over the counter.