What’s The Connection Between Cognitive Decline and Hearing Loss | What The Science Says

If living with an untreated hearing loss wasn’t hard enough, there is now a large number of scientifically reviewed studies that show direct correlations between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline.

Worryingly, these scientific papers are becoming deeper researched and are all showing the same statistics.

If you or a loved one are currently experiencing signs of hearing loss, and are yet to have your hearing tested or address these hearing challenges, then you’re encouraged to read this article, as the data is truly concerning.

The Biggest Peer-Reviewed Study in History

In December 2022, CNN Health published a viral article that shared the findings of the most in-depth studies conducted on the connection between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline.
Conducted by Brian Sheng Yep Yeo, MBBS1; Harris Jun Jie Muhammad Danial Song, MBBS1 and; Emma Min Shuen Toh, MBBS1 of JAMA Neurology* this worldwide trial included 13 studies conducted in Europe, 12 studies conducted in North America, three studies conducted in Asia, and two studies conducted in Australasia.

The meta-analysis of 31 studies had 137,484 participants, and included 25 observational studies, and 6 trials. The research looked at the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline over a range of durations, from two to 25 years.

With the prevalence of SCD (subjective cognitive decline) among adults ages 65 years and older being 11.7%, we have always believed that the connection between untreated hearing loss and cognitive challenges is something that more people should be aware of, and we feel thankful that this in-depth and detailed study has been conducted.

It is one of the most in-depth studies that has ever been carried out on the connection between cognitive decline and hearing aids/cochlear implants.

What were the key findings of this study?

There were two significant findings:

Firstly, the use of hearing aids was associated with a 19% reduction in long-term cognitive decline. The study authors noted. “Dementia is far easier to prevent than treat, and exceedingly difficult to reverse,” said senior study author Dr. Benjamin Tan, Dean’s Fellow at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.

Secondly, “Encouragingly, even patients who already started with mild cognitive impairment (“early dementia”)… benefitted from the use of hearing aids, as they also had approximately 20% lower risk of progressing to dementia,”. “This means that it is never too late to start using hearing aids, but early treatment may help to preserve the most cognition.”

The ‘meaning’ and outcome of the report shared:

This highly conclusive study that was conducted on 137,484 participants is the most conclusive and in-depth research carried out on the connection between cognitive decline and hearing aids/cochlear implants.

The Key Observations for You

Although we all regularly have our teeth checked, our eyes tested and have an annual physical, too many of us still don’t prioritize a hearing test, even though the data is becoming increasingly more concerning.

With an untreated hearing loss worsening, please don’t delay.