From the Guidelines
There is a significant link between sensorineural hearing loss and dementia, with research suggesting that addressing hearing loss could reduce dementia risk by up to 8%. The relationship between sensorineural hearing loss and dementia is complex, with several mechanisms contributing to the increased risk of dementia in individuals with hearing loss. These mechanisms include:
- Increased cognitive load as the brain works harder to process sounds, leading to cognitive decline and potentially contributing to brain atrophy in regions responsible for sound processing and memory 1
- Social isolation, which is a known dementia risk factor, resulting from communication difficulties and decreased social engagement due to hearing loss 1
- Direct impact on brain structure through reduced auditory stimulation, potentially leading to changes in brain function and structure 1
Early intervention with hearing aids or cochlear implants can potentially reduce the risk of dementia, and regular hearing screenings are recommended, especially for those over 50, with prompt treatment if hearing loss is detected 1. Key recommendations for clinicians include:
- Screening patients aged 50 years and older for hearing loss at the time of a health care encounter
- Evaluating and treating or referring patients with significant asymmetric hearing loss, conductive or mixed hearing loss, or poor word recognition on diagnostic testing
- Educating and counseling patients with hearing loss and their family/care partners about the impact of hearing loss on communication, safety, function, cognition, and quality of life
By addressing hearing loss and promoting early intervention, clinicians can help preserve cognitive function, improve quality of life, and reduce the risk of dementia in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss.
From the Research
Relationship Between Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Dementia
- The prevalence of hearing loss is high among older adults, with approximately 65% of adults over 60 years experiencing hearing loss 2.
- Epidemiologic studies have linked hearing loss to a nearly two times greater risk of dementia 2, 3, 4.
- The hypothesized mechanistic pathways through which hearing loss could contribute to increased dementia risk include:
- Management of hearing loss using existing interventions, such as hearing aids, may be an effective intervention for slowing cognitive decline in some older adults 2, 3, 6.
- The relationship between hearing loss and dementia is still unclear, with several mechanisms suggested but lacking clear evidence 5, 6.
- Hearing loss is considered an important risk factor for the development of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD) 6.
- Mid-life hearing loss increases the risk of developing dementia by double any other single factor 6.
- The use of hearing aids has been suggested to maintain better cognitive function over time in individuals with age-related hearing problems 6.