About 22 percent of adults between 65 and 75 experience some form of hearing loss. After the age of 75, that percentage increases to 55 percent. With more than half of all adults experiencing hearing loss, it’s important to look at upcoming research highlighting the link between hearing loss and dementia.
Corrine Koepsell-Roth, Doctor of Audiology from Doctors of Hearing Healthcare, shares some of the latest research on the connection between cognition and hearing loss. She also explains how treating hearing loss increases overall health and longevity.
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What is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss occurs when an individual experiences changes to their hearing. Hearing loss does not automatically mean a person is or will go completely deaf. A few common types of hearing loss include conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss.
In most cases, a person with hearing loss will experience a range of signs, such as muffled speech, trouble understanding speech, and a hard time hearing speech in background noise. Other signs a person may have hearing loss include disengaging from social situations, turning up televisions and other devices to unsafe levels, and asking people to repeat themselves.
What’s the Connection Between Hearing Loss and Cognition?
Research is starting to look at the connection between hearing loss and cognition. One meta-analysis of 36 studies and more than 20,000 participants found a significant association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment and dementia. This research suggests that age-related hearing loss is a possible biomarker and modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Another study out for the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging found that people with hearing loss are 1.9 times more likely to develop dementia.
Research is continuing to explore the connection between hearing loss and cognition, but experts can’t say for sure that hearing loss causes dementia or that dementia causes hearing loss. They are connected, but more research is needed to further investigate the link.
Helpful Resources
If you or a loved one is experiencing hearing loss or wants to learn more about hearing loss, consider these resources.
How Elderwerks Can Help
Elderwerks is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization that provides seniors and families with information, referrals, and guidance for senior living, home care, and support services. Contact our office by calling 855-462-0100 to connect with one of our senior care advisors who can help you find the resources you need.
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