Age-related hearing loss may be a risk factor for cognitive decline, impairment, and dementia, JAMA Network announced on its website.

 

Why The Research Is Interesting: Age-related hearing loss is common. Research about a link between age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline and dementia has been inconsistent. Understanding any possible association between hearing loss and cognitive decline could help with strategies to prevent cognitive decline and dementia with use of hearing assist devices.

 

Who: 20,264 participants in 36 studies

 

What: (Study Measures): Age-related hearing loss (exposure) and measures of cognitive function, cognitive impairment, and dementia (outcomes).

 

How: (Study Design): This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. A meta-analysis combines the results of multiple studies identified in a systematic review and quantitatively summarizes the overall association between the same exposure and outcomes measured across all studies.

 

The Results: There was a small association between age-related hearing loss and increased risk for cognitive decline (such as in executive function, episodic memory, and processing speed), cognitive impairment, and dementia.

 

The Study Limitations: The studies analyzed were observational and cannot on their own prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

 

Source: JAMA Internal Medicine, JAMA Network, David G. Loughrey, BA (Hons), Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland and coauthors.

Image credit: Shutterstock