A new large-scale study published in The Lancet Public Health has added more evidence confirming the effectiveness of hearing aids in reducing the risk of dementia from hearing loss.
- The study involved 437,704 people from the UK Biobank aged between 40 and 69 with self-reported hearing-aid use.
Why it matters
This extensive, decade-long study provides the most robust evidence yet that hearing aids reduce the risk of dementia from hearing loss.
- Hearing loss is a significant modifiable risk factor for dementia.
- By 2050, dementia will affect 150 million people worldwide.
"Close to four-fifths of people experiencing hearing loss do not use hearing aids in the UK. Hearing loss may begin early in one's 40s, and there is evidence that gradual cognitive decline before a dementia diagnosis can last 20 to 25 years. Our findings highlight the urgent need for the early introduction of hearing aids when someone starts to experience hearing impairment." —Dr. Dongshan Zhu
A closer look
- The study also examined if loneliness, social isolation, and depression had any impact on the link between hearing loss and dementia. The data revealed that less than 8% of the association between hearing loss and dementia would be removed by addressing these problems.
- The researchers concluded that reducing dementia risk derives mainly from hearing aid use, not indirect causes.
Context: A commonly used clinical threshold for hearing loss is ≥20 decibels (dB). Hearing loss of ≥20 dB affects
- 10% of people aged 40 to 69.
- 30% of people over 65
- 70% to 90% of people aged 85 and older.
Notable: Researchers have measured cognitive decline in people 45-65 years old with only 10 dB of hearing loss.
Reduce your risk of dementia
Call to schedule a free, 15-minute hearing screening with an audiologist. Don't guess about hearing loss. Find out.
If you have hearing loss, your audiologist will explain —
- How much hearing you've lost
- Whether your hearing needs treatment
- Hearing-aid options available for your hearing loss
Don't let untreated hearing loss take away your quality of life.
