The Link Between Hearing Loss and Cognition

Written By Alysha Beaulne

In this blog we’re diving into the connection between hearing and cognition. This area continues to generate a lot of interest, with ongoing research continuing to shed light on this relationship. 

So, what have studies revealed about the link between hearing loss and cognition? Several studies have shown that having untreated hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline over time.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ It seems that the more severe the hearing loss, the greater the cognitive decline experienced.⁵

Here are some a couple of theories on why this connection might exist:

  1. Hearing loss is associated with accelerated brain atrophy in certain regions of the brain.⁶ This brain atrophy could impact cognitive function over time.

  2. Additionally, the connection between hearing loss and cognition could be influenced by other factors, such as social isolation or loneliness.⁷ ⁸ That would mean that hearing loss increases the chance of social isolation, which in turn may lead to cognitive changes.

The good news? Recent research has explored how addressing hearing loss can positively impact cognitive health. One study found that individuals who used hearing aids showed a decreased risk of cognitive decline.² Another study indicated that appropriately fit hearing aids specifically helped older adults who were at risk for cognitive decline.⁹


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References

  1. Amieva, H., Ouvrard, C., Meillon, C., Rullier, L., & Dartigues, J.-F. (2018). Death, Depression, Disability, and Dementia Associated With Self-reported Hearing Problems: A 25-Year Study. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 73(10), 1383–1389. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glx250

  2. Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., Ames, D., Ballard, C., Banerjee, S., Brayne, C., Burns, A., Cohen-Mansfield, J., Cooper, C., Costafreda, S. G., Dias, A., Fox, N., Gitlin, L. N., Howard, R., Kales, H. C., Kivimäki, M., Larson, E. B., Ogunniyi, A., & Orgeta, V. (2020). Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care: 2020 Report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30367-6

  3. Maharani, A., Dawes, P., Nazroo, J., Tampubolon, G., & Pendleton, N. (2018). Longitudinal Relationship Between Hearing Aid Use and Cognitive Function in Older Americans. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 66(6), 1130–1136. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15363

  4. Ray, J., Popli, G., & Fell, G. (2018). Association of Cognition and Age-Related Hearing Impairment in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 144(10), 876. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2018.1656

  5. Lin, F. R., Yaffe, K., Xia, J., Xue, Q.-L., Harris, T. B., Purchase-Helzner, E., Satterfield, S., Ayonayon, H. N., Ferrucci, L., Simonsick, E. M., & Health ABC Study Group, for the. (2013). Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults. JAMA Internal Medicine, 173(4), 293. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.1868

  6. Lin, F. R., Ferrucci, L., An, Y., Goh, J. O., Doshi, J., Metter, E. J., Davatzikos, C., Kraut, M. A., & Resnick, S. M. (2014). Association of hearing impairment with brain volume changes in older adults. NeuroImage, 90, 84–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.12.059

  7. Rutherford, B. R., Brewster, K., Golub, J. S., Kim, A. H., & Roose, S. P. (2018). Sensation and Psychiatry: Linking Age-Related Hearing Loss to Late-Life Depression and Cognitive Decline. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(3), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17040423

  8. Lin, F. R. (2012). Hearing Loss in Older Adults. JAMA, 307(11), 1147. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.321

  9. Lin, F. R., Pike, J. R., Albert, M. S., Arnold, M., Burgard, S., Chisolm, T., Couper, D., Deal, J. A., Goman, A. M., Glynn, N. W., Gmelin, T., Gravens-Mueller, L., Hayden, K. M., Huang, A. R., Knopman, D., Mitchell, C. M., Mosley, T., Pankow, J. S., Reed, N. S., & Sanchez, V. (2023). Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA (ACHIEVE): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 402(10404). https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01406-x

Alysha Beaulne https://birdsongaudiology.ca
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