Prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with hearing loss

Hearing loss could be associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment.

In a study published in JAMA Network Open, investigators assessed the data of 62,072 participants aged 45 to 69 years who underwent pure-tone audiometry to measure hearing loss.

The investigators reported that 38% of the participants had mild hearing loss and 10% of them had disabling hearing loss. Mild hearing loss was correlated with a 10% increase in the risk of global cognitive impairment, whereas disabling hearing loss was correlated with a 24% increased risk in global cognitive impairment.

Although the use of hearing aids did not mitigate the risk of cognitive impairment in this patient population, a subgroup of patients with depression demonstrated reduced cognitive impairment with the use of hearing aids — representing the potential benefit of hearing and mood interventions.

The findings indicated that clinicians should monitor patients with hearing loss for signs of cognitive impairment.

Read more: JAMA Network Open

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