Hearing loss accounts for nearly 8% of dementia cases worldwide (roughly 800,000 cases per year). Scientists and medical professionals have found a strong link between hearing loss and dementia.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), located in Baltimore, MD, have studied associations between hearing loss and dementia for many years. A 12-year-long study including around 600 adults, led by Dr. Frank Lin, found that mild, moderate, and severe hearing impairment were risk factors for dementia and that as hearing loss worsened the individual was more likely to develop dementia.
JHU researchers have used brain scans to show that hearing loss may contribute to a faster rate of atrophy (wasting away of tissue) in the frontal lobe and temporal lobe of the brain. These parts of the brain help with word production and understanding, problem-solving, planning, and emotion. Atrophy occurs because hearing loss puts a strain on the brain to work harder to hear. The brain working harder to hear comes at the expense of brain deterioration, which leads to thinking and memory deficits.
JHU researchers predict that the treatment of hearing loss with the utilization of hearing aids will reduce the stress placed on the brain to hear and minimize the risk of developing dementia. They have enrolled over 900 older adults who are participating in a clinical research study funded by the National Institute on Aging. The ACHIEVE study has finished recruiting participants and should complete collecting data within the next year. Study results should be published soon after.
Medical experts from JHU report that many wait too long to seek medical attention for hearing loss, as minor deficits in hearing can go unnoticed for some time. Research shows that even mild hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia. Seeking medical attention to combat hearing loss early can potentially reduce the risk of developing dementia. If you or someone you know is experiencing even mild hearing loss, refer to a primary care physician or an audiologist to see what treatment options are available for you to improve your hearing and potentially reduce your risk of dementia.