Age-related hearing loss linked to cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease, suggests study

A new study published in the journal of Audiology Research found the intricate connections between hearing loss, central auditory processing disorders, and cognitive decline, specially in the context of Alzheimer's disease. The World Health Organization defines hearing loss as the incapacity to perceive noises louder than 25 decibels. The stria vascularis, the auditory nerve, and the mechano-transducing cochlear inner and outer hair cells are among the auditory components that degenerate in age-related hearing loss (ARHL).

An increasing amount of evidence points to a connection between ARHL and structural alterations in the brain, particularly reduced volumes in areas linked to auditory processing. As a compensating mechanism, ARHL also causes nonauditory brain areas to become more active and people may be more susceptible to dementia as a result of these alterations. Determining the causal direction of this connection is the primary goal of hearing-dementia research. 

To investigate the prevalence of dementia risk factors (RF) and self-reported cognitive complaints (SCC) in a group of audiology patients, Dominique Poelarends and colleagues carried out this comprehensive study.

The International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health was the basis for an online intake form given to 1100 patients (51 percent female, average age 61 years) who were visiting audiology clinics. Memory and concentration (SCC), loneliness, sleep, depression, and vision (dementia RF), and self-reported hearing issues (SHP) were among the domains that were retrieved for analysis. This study looked at prevalence rates and their relationships to SHP and demographic factors.

More over half of the patients with SCC reported having memory or attention issues which indicated how common the condition was. More over 50% of respondents with dementia RF reported feeling upset, anxious, or depressed, and 68% reported having trouble sleeping. The self-reported loneliness, eyesight issues, and memory issues all showed a strong correlation with SHP.

Overall, the significant incidence of SCC and some dementia RF in this descriptive cohort analysis points to a greater risk of cognitive problems in the audiology clinic group. These results of this study highlight the significance of using a comprehensive patient-centered strategy and taking into account the tighter collaboration within treatment pathways such as audiology and neurology.

Reference:

Nagaraj, N. K. (2024). Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline in the Aging Population: Emerging Perspectives in Audiology. In Audiology Research (Vol. 14, Issue 3, pp. 479–492). MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres14030040