A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet medical journal has revealed that individuals with a high risk of developing dementia can reduce that risk by 48% through the use of hearing aids.
Dr. Julie Prutsman of Sound Relief Hearing Center in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, expressed excitement over the study, highlighting the long-established link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline or dementia.
This research demonstrates the significant impact that hearing loss intervention can have.
The study involved the analysis of over 3,000 individuals, including healthy community volunteers and older adults from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, which focuses on cardiovascular health.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the “hearing intervention” group, which received audiological counseling and hearing aids, or the “control intervention” group, which received health education on chronic disease prevention. Over a three-year period, researchers followed up with both groups every six months and used a comprehensive neurocognitive test to evaluate their scores.
According to the published study, no significant reduction in cognitive decline was observed with the use of hearing aids overall. However, among older participants, a significant difference was found.
Researchers noted, “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.”
Dr. Prutsman believes that this study offers hope to individuals experiencing hearing loss, emphasizing the potential for treating something as simple as hearing loss to impact cognitive decline.
Dr. Ira Chang, the medical director of neurocritical care at Swedish Medical Center, elaborated on different theories regarding how hearing loss impacts cognition. One theory is that by not utilizing certain parts of the brain, these areas may deteriorate at a faster rate and affect social interaction.
With the findings of this study, Dr. Chang is pleased to have another potential method for helping high-risk patients slow the progression of dementia.
“I think this is a very exciting, very concrete intervention that we can use,” she stated.
Hearing tests can be completed in 30 minutes or less, and Dr. Prutsman highlighted the availability of discreet hearing instruments, some equipped with Bluetooth technology. She encourages families to explore their options, emphasizing the importance of early intervention for better outcomes.
Image Credit: The Hill
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