The study enrolled 1,984 older adults with an average age of 77 in an
observational study that began in 1997-1998. A total of 1,162 patients with
baseline hearing loss had annual rates of decline in test scores that measured
global and executive function that were 41% and 32% greater than those among
individuals with normal hearing.
Compared to patients with normal hearing, individuals with hearing loss at
baseline had a 24% increased risk for incident cognitive impairment.
"Our results demonstrate that hearing loss is independently associated with accelerated cognitive decline and incident cognitive impairment in
community-dwelling older adults. The magnitude of these associations is
clinically significant, with individuals having hearing loss demonstrating a 30
percent to 40 percent accelerated rate of cognitive decline and a 24 percent
increased risk for incident cognitive impairment during a six-year period
compared with individuals having normal hearing,” Frank Lin, MD, PhD, at the
Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Baltimore, and authors were quoted as
saying.
"In conclusion, our results suggest that hearing loss is associated with
accelerated cognitive decline and incident cognitive impairment in older adults.
Further research is needed to investigate what the mechanistic basis of this
observed association is and whether such pathways would be amendable to hearing
rehabilitative interventions," Dr. Lin and authors concluded.
Hearing Loss Linked to Dementia
4 comments:
This is so true. Many elderly people just don't hear well enough and that's mistaken for senility.
It is so true. I have seen this with my Mother. She misunderstands the question because she can't hear it.
Hearing is so important and I have heard of so many old people in nursing homes who are without their hearing aids because their guardians won't see to it that they have their aids. It's so very cruel.
It appears to be a major problem, and mistaken for senility, yes.
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