Hearing loss closely associated with increased risk of dementia: JAMA

In a recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association found a significant association between hearing loss and the risk of dementia by emphasizing the potential preventive role of hearing aids.

This population-based cohort study comprised a total of 573,088 individuals aged 50 years and older and investigated the intricate relationship between hearing loss and incident dementia. The research was conducted in the Southern Denmark which spanned over 14 years.

The findings revealed a critical link between hearing impairment and a higher risk of dementia. Individuals with hearing loss exhibited an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.07 when compared to those without and this highlight the importance of understanding the interplay between these conditions.

The study underscored the severity of hearing loss by establishing that severe impairment in both the better and worse ear was associated with a heightened risk of dementia. The hazard ratios were notably higher measuring 1.20 and 1.13, respectively.

This research also explored the impact of hearing aid use on dementia risk. The results from this study suggested a potentially protective effect of hearing aids with individuals using these devices displaying lower dementia risk compared to those with untreated hearing loss. The hazard ratios were 1.20 for those without hearing aids and 1.06 for those using them by underlining the potential role of hearing aids in delaying the onset or progression of dementia.

The findings emphasized the need for further research that advocates for larger cohorts and more detailed data to deepen the existing understanding of the causal mechanisms between hearing loss and dementia.

Source:

Cantuaria, M. L., Pedersen, E. R., Waldorff, F. B., Wermuth, L., Pedersen, K. M., Poulsen, A. H., Raaschou-Nielsen, O., Sørensen, M., & Schmidt, J. H. (2024). Hearing Loss, Hearing Aid Use, and Risk of Dementia in Older Adults. In JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2023.3509