HEARING LOSS AND COGNITIVE DECLINE: EVIDENCE FROM THE LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF ADULT HEALTH (ELSA-BRASIL)
2024
Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
Sample size: 805
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Goncalves Natalia Gomes, Samelli Alessandra, Lotufo Paulo, Bensenor Isabela, Suemoto Claudia
Primary Institution: University of São Paulo Medical School
Hypothesis
The study aimed to investigate the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline over an 8-year period.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is linked to faster cognitive decline in middle-aged adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Hearing loss is present in 40% of adults aged 50 years or older.
- The prevalence of hearing loss increases to 70% in adults aged 70 years or older.
- 7% of dementia cases in Brazil are estimated to be due to hearing loss.
- Hearing loss was defined as pure-tone audiometry above 25 dB in either ear.
- Cognitive performance was evaluated in memory, verbal fluency, and executive function domains.
- A global cognitive z-score was derived from six cognitive tests.
- Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline.
Takeaway
If older people have trouble hearing, it might make their thinking skills get worse faster.
Methodology
Participants were evaluated in three study waves, and cognitive performance was assessed using six tests.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 50.6 years, 52% women, 60% White.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.039
Confidence Interval
95% CI=-0.023; 0.000
Statistical Significance
p=0.039
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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