STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — People most vulnerable to dementia had their risk of cognitive decline nearly slashed in half after utilizing hearing aids, a new study found.
Researchers have long associated hearing loss with dementia, a range of conditions used to describe the impaired ability to remember, think and carry out everyday tasks that become increasingly likely with age.
Some believe hearing loss can force the brain to work harder to process information, and auditory issues are also known to cause social isolation that leaves individuals with less intellectual stimulation.
The latest research, published Tuesday in the journal Lancet, sought to see if hearing aids could make a difference.
“We aimed to investigate whether a hearing intervention could reduce cognitive decline in cognitively healthy older adults with hearing loss,” the study authors wrote.
To start, the researchers observed more than 3,000 people, including healthy adults and individuals from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, a long-term investigation into cardiovascular health.
The effort, considered to be the first randomized control study to seek a link between hearing aids and staving off cognitive decline, separated participants to either a control group that received counseling in chronic disease prevention or an intervention group that received hearing aids and audiological counseling.
Follow-ups occurred every six months and the study lasted for three years. And while researchers did not initially notice any substantial difference in cognitive decline overall, a finer magnifying glass on the individuals at greatest risk for dementia uncovered promising results: A 48% reduction of cognitive decline.
The findings may serve as a catalyst in affecting how decision makers address individuals at greatest risk for dementia.
HEARING AIDS NOW WIDELY AVAILABLE
Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a landmark ruling that enabled hearing aids to be sold without a prescription.
By allowing devices to be sold online and at retail stores, market competition increases and prices are subsequently driven down. The cost decrease opens up availability for more people to benefit from hearing aids.
Hearing loss is associated with higher levels of depression, especially in older adults, according to studies. Research has also found connections between hearing issues and poor social-emotional health and anxiety.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders said nearly 30 million adults in the U.S. could benefit from hearing aid use. Between two to three of every 1,000 children in the country are born with detectable levels of hearing loss in at least one ear.
Meanwhile, dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide — a figure that is expected to grow as more people live longer.
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July 19, 2023 at 02:21AM
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Study finds these common devices slow cognitive decline for adults at dementia risk - SILive.com
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