HEARING LOSS RISKS COGNITIVE DECLINE

摘要

Hearing loss is known to be associated with cognitive impairment, but research now suggests that the association may be present before hearing loss is even noticed~1. This implies that preventing even mild hearing loss is vital, and that the early use of hearing aids should be encouraged. Age-related hearing loss is a 'modifiable risk factor'for dementia, cognitive decline and cognitive impairment~2, but until now it had been assumed that the relationship begins only when hearing loss is clinically meaningful (ie noticeable by the individual).