New Study Finds Link Between Hearing Impairment and Dementia
Researchers from the University of California San Diego and the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute recently conducted a study exploring the connection between hearing impairment and dementia. Published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, their findings revealed microstructural differences in specific brain regions associated with auditory processing, speech and language processing, and executive function among individuals with hearing impairment.
Principal investigator Linda K. McEvoy stated that the extra effort required to understand sounds for those with hearing impairments might lead to changes in the brain, increasing the risk of developing dementia. These findings highlight the importance of interventions that reduce cognitive effort, such as the utilization of subtitles, live captioning, hearing aids, and visiting quiet environments.
The research, based on data from the Rancho Bernardo Study of Healthy Aging, involved 130 participants who underwent hearing tests and MRI scans. Co-author Emilie T. Reas stressed the significance of protecting hearing by avoiding prolonged exposure to loud sounds and reducing the use of ototoxic medications, which can have harmful effects on the auditory system.
Funded by the National Institute on Aging and the American Federation for Aging Research/McKnight Foundation, with data collection support from the National Institutes of Health and the Rancho Bernardo Study of Healthy Aging, this study contributes to our understanding of the relationship between hearing impairment and dementia. Furthermore, it provides recommendations for preventing cognitive decline associated with hearing loss.
“This study sheds light on the impact of hearing impairment on cognitive health,” said McEvoy. “By implementing interventions that alleviate the cognitive effort required for individuals with hearing impairments, we may be able to reduce the risk of dementia and enhance overall brain health.”
As the aging population grows and the prevalence of hearing impairment increases, these findings serve as a wake-up call to prioritize hearing health and the implementation of accessible measures to support those with hearing impairments.
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