Dementia is usually associated with physical changes that can be seen directly, such as wrinkles and gray hair. But recent studies also show that age-related hearing loss is independently associated with poorer cognitive function. BestLife reported that these studies pinpoint one specific hearing loss issue that could indicate the onset of dementia.
The fact that age-related hearing loss is inevitable makes it a primarily inconsequential part of aging. Identifying it early on could help improve cognitive function and prevent the early onset of dementia.
Hearing Loss May Be One of the Signs of Cognitive Decline, Studies Claim
Hearing Loss and Dementia
A 2017 study published in The Lancet reveals that around eight percent of dementia cases can be linked to hearing loss. This link was further explored by a 2019 study published in Neurology to see how hearing loss indicates the onset of dementia.
The researchers assessed 16,270 participants and found that hearing loss is correlated with cognitive decline and impairment, as well as the development of dementia among adults aged 45 and 54. That means hearing loss could increase a person's chance of developing dementia.
But it is important to note that not all hearing loss is the same. It is divided into peripheral and central hearing loss, which are differentiated by what could cause them.
Peripheral hearing loss is caused by issues with ear structure, but central peripheral hearing loss is due to problems with the auditory nerve and brain's sound centers.
According to a paper in Science Direct, peripheral hearing loss is further divided into two - sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. Sensorineural is the most common form and is often caused by aging or noise exposure that damages the auditory nerve. Meanwhile, conductive hearing loss is damage to the outer ear or a blockage that prevents sound from entering the ear.
Symptoms of peripheral hearing include pain in one or both ears, dizziness or vertigo, tinnitus, and pressure in one or both ears. Audiologist Hope Lanter explains that peripheral hearing loss may start as a mild condition that may include difficulty in distinguishing speech, voices sounding mumbled or muffled, and asking others to repeat themselves frequently.
Why Peripheral Hearing Loss Can Cause Dementia?
A 2020 Lancet commission report says that those who experience peripheral hearing loss symptoms may be at higher risk of dementia because it increases the cognitive load of the brain.
That means the brain is working harder than usual and uses more energy on auditory processes instead of essential brain functions, like cognition and memory. Also, experts pointed out that peripheral hearing loss can lead to social isolation and other potential contributors to developing dementia,
Lanter added that the ears and the brain work together to understand speech and process sounds. However, the brain would have to work harder if the person experiences peripheral hearing loss symptoms, which usually find themselves having difficulty following conversations that they need to listen harder, read lips and use additional clues to get the message. Stress to the brain puts it at risk of cognitive decline.
A 2014 study published in Aging Mental Health found that even mild cases of peripheral doubles the risk of developing dementia, while severe cases increase the risk five-fold. Therefore, early detection is important to prevent the onset of cognitive decline.
Some doctors may recommend hearing aids that can significantly reduce dementia risk due to hearing loss, according to a study in the American Journal of Audiology that shows early detection reduces dementia risk by 18%, depression and anxiety by 11%, and fall-related injuries by 13%. Watch Dr. Cliff Olson discuss the link between hearing loss and dementia in the video below.
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