Emergence of Hearing Loss and Dementia Among Older Patients in the US

Hearing loss has emerged as a prominent modifiable risk factor for dementia globally, contributing to 8% of dementia cases. However, US representative data are scarce concerning the connection between hearing loss and dementia in older adults. Past estimates have faced limitations regarding selection bias and reliance on self-reported information, potentially leading to an underestimation of hearing loss and dementia prevalence, according to study results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The research employed data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), which surveyed community-dwelling individuals aged 65 and above, excluding nursing home residents. Audiometric measurements were conducted using an electronic tablet-based audiometer, and dementia prevalence was determined through a comprehensive algorithm encompassing cognitive domains, self-reported diagnosis, and screening scores. The study examined the prevalence of dementia among different degrees of hearing loss and the potential influence of hearing aid use on dementia prevalence among individuals with moderate to severe hearing loss.

Results revealed that dementia prevalence increased with the severity of hearing loss, with participants experiencing moderate to severe hearing loss having a higher prevalence than those with normal hearing. Moreover, the study found a potential association between hearing aid use and reduced dementia prevalence among individuals with moderate to severe hearing loss. This connection underscores the importance of facilitating access to hearing care services, including affordable hearing aids and Medicare-supported hearing interventions, to potentially mitigate dementia risk.

While these findings provide valuable insights into the association between hearing loss, hearing aid use, and dementia among older adults, the study acknowledges limitations in its cross-sectional design and the exclusion of nursing home residents.

“Study limitations include the cross-sectional study design and exclusion of nursing home/residential care residents. Mediation analyses to characterize mechanisms underlying the association and randomized trials to determine the effects of hearing interventions on reducing dementia risk are needed,” researchers advised.

Reference

Huang AR, Jiang K, Lin FR, Deal JA, Reed NS. Hearing loss and dementia prevalence in older adults in the US. JAMA. 2023;329(2):171-173. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.20954