[LISTEN UP] Hearing aids could curb dementia risk for some
Results from the largest randomized, controlled clinical trial of hearing aids for reducing long-term cognitive decline in older adults found that hearing aids did not make a difference in the general population, but they slowed cognitive decline by 48% in a subgroup of participants at higher risk for dementia.
The trial was conducted at four US sites, and included 977 adults ages 70-84 with untreated mild-to-moderate hearing loss who were free from substantial cognitive impairment. Participants were recruited from two study populations: 238 adults participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, and 739 community volunteers.
The three-year intervention included use of hearing aids, a hearing "toolkit" to assist with self-management, and ongoing instruction and counseling with an audiologist.
The comparison health education control group had talk sessions with a health educator about chronic disease prevention.
The most interesting result, according to the researchers, was the comparison of the ARIC subgroup hearing intervention versus control, in which dementia was slowed by almost half. Participants from the ARIC study had more risk factors for cognitive decline, lower baseline cognitive scores, and a faster rate of three-year cognitive decline during the study than the others.
The findings suggest that older adults at increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia who also have hearing loss may benefit the most from this hearing intervention within three years. According to the researchers, the hearing intervention may slow down decline in thinking and memory by making listening easier for the brain, or by helping people remain more socially and physically active.
The team also found that in both groups, the hearing intervention improved communication abilities, social functioning and loneliness. They recommend that for general health and well-being, older adults have their hearing checked regularly and any hearing issues properly addressed.
To read the abstract of the study, published in The Lancet, click here
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