Hearing loss and cognitive decline: is there a relationship?
The increase in life expectancy over the past century has brought about significant benefits, including more extended periods of productive life. However, it also comes with challenges, particularly regarding the prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia among older adults.
Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide, and every year 10 million new cases are diagnosed, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This increasing number of cases cost 1.3 trillion US dollars to economies globally.
Identifying risk factors and mechanisms that lead to cognitive impairment and dementia is, thus, a priority for public health.
The increase in life expectancy over the past century has brought about significant benefits, including more extended periods of productive life. However, it also comes with challenges, particularly regarding the prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia among older adults.
Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide, and every year 10 million new cases are diagnosed, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This increasing number of cases cost 1.3 trillion US dollars to economies globally.
Identifying risk factors and mechanisms that lead to cognitive impairment and dementia is, thus, a priority for public health.
Hearing loss is a risk factor for cognitive decline
Hearing loss can be considered a risk factor for cognitive decline in older adults.
Numerous studies have found a strong association between hearing loss and an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Individuals with hearing loss are more likely to experience cognitive impairment than those with normal hearing. A study from 2019 by Golub et al. demonstrated there is a decrease in cognition with every 10 dB reduction in hearing.
Research suggests that cognitive decline occurs more rapidly in individuals with hearing loss. A study by Lin et al. (2013) found that older adults with hearing loss experienced cognitive decline 30-40% faster than those with normal hearing.
The underlying causes of this phenomenon are not clearly understood. Decreased brain volume in regions associated with hearing and memory, such as the temporal lobe, and social isolation may explain it.
Hearing loss can be considered a risk factor for cognitive decline in older adults.
Numerous studies have found a strong association between hearing loss and an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Individuals with hearing loss are more likely to experience cognitive impairment than those with normal hearing. A study from 2019 by Golub et al. demonstrated there is a decrease in cognition with every 10 dB reduction in hearing.
Research suggests that cognitive decline occurs more rapidly in individuals with hearing loss. A study by Lin et al. (2013) found that older adults with hearing loss experienced cognitive decline 30-40% faster than those with normal hearing.
The underlying causes of this phenomenon are not clearly understood. Decreased brain volume in regions associated with hearing and memory, such as the temporal lobe, and social isolation may explain it.
Proper ear health reduces cognitive impairment
Hearing aids help to reduce cognitive decline. A recent study published in The Lancet by Lin et al. (2023), compared the rate of cognitive decline over three years between people who did and didn’t receive hearing aids. The study reveals that those who received them presented a 50% reduction in cognitive decline compared to those who didn’t.
The excessive accumulation of earwax can cause hearing loss, and thus, exacerbate cognitive impairment. Maintaining good hearing health can help prevent it. Not only wearing hearing aids but starting much sooner by taking care of earwax accumulation.
The excessive accumulation of earwax can cause hearing loss. It is frequent in elderly people, around 30% of them suffering from it.
In nursing homes, 2 out of 3 people may suffer from it. It usually goes unnoticed by caregivers and exacerbates hearing loss. Although the best way to control earwax is to leave it alone, regular check-ups are advisable to control earwax accumulation.
Earwax accumulation also impedes the correct use of hearing aids. A lack of adequate knowledge and practical skills among care workers can significantly impact elderly individuals who rely on hearing aids and depend on care.
Investing in auditory healthcare is essential for preventing hearing loss and its associated cognitive decline. At Mitelos, our mission is to grant worldwide access to our innovative OTC products to promote hearing health. To do so, we develop, register, and supply our partners with branded, ready-for-market self-care products.
Sources
Golub JS, Brickman AM, Ciarleglio AJ, Schupf N, Luchsinger JA. Association of Subclinical Hearing Loss With Cognitive Performance. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 Jan 1;146(1):57-67. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2019.3375.
JoNel Aleccia. ABC News. Earwax poses unrecognized risk in long-term care [Internet]. 29 Aug 2018. Available online: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/earwax-poses-unrecognized-risk-long-term-care/story?id=57475404#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20excessive%20amount%20%5Bof%20earwax,the%20American%20Academy%20of%20Audiology. (accessed 11 Jul 2024).
Lin FR, Yaffe K, Xia J, Xue QL, Harris TB, Purchase-Helzner E, Satterfield S, Ayonayon HN, Ferrucci L, Simonsick EM; Health ABC Study Group. Hearing loss and cognitive decline in older adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2013 Feb 25;173(4):293-9. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.1868.
Lin FR, Pike JR, Albert MS, Arnold M, Burgard S, Chisolm T, Couper D, Deal JA, Goman AM, Glynn NW, Gmelin T, Gravens-Mueller L, Hayden KM, Huang AR, Knopman D, Mitchell CM, Mosley T, Pankow JS, Reed NS, Sanchez V, Schrack JA, Windham BG, Coresh J; ACHIEVE Collaborative Research Group. Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA (ACHIEVE): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2023 Sep 2;402(10404):786-797. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01406-X.
Solheim J, Shiryaeva O, Kvaerner KJ. Lack of ear care knowledge in nursing homes. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2016 Sep 30;9:481-488. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S113689.
World Health Organization. Dementia [Internet]. 15 Mar 2023. Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia. (accessed on 11 Jul 2024).