Woman talks closely to man to be heard

Restoring hearing through the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants was linked to a decrease in cognitive decline in some patients and even improved cognition in others, according to a new study.

Researchers at the National University of Singapore screened more than 3,200 studies, looking at the long-term associations between hearing aid use and cognitive decline. In a meta-analysis, the researchers found the use of restorative devices was associated with a 19% decrease in long-term cognitive decline. Hearing aid and implant use were associated with a 3% improvement in test scores that assessed short-term cognition. 

Hearing loss has been found to be the largest most modifiable risk factor against dementia, according to a 2020 study in The Lancet. The study stated that being proactive and treating hearing loss as quickly as possible could dramatically reduce hearing decline. It estimated that one in 10 cases of dementia could be eliminated by treating hearing loss early. 

Hearing loss is linked to other health risks as well. A handful of recent studies have associated hearing loss with an increase in social isolation and loneliness. One study found that hearing loss was associated with increased odds of social isolation in women aged 60 to 69. Social isolation and loneliness is linked to increased risk of premature death, dementia and a deterioration in behavioral health. 

Access to hearing aids improved recently, after the Food and Drug Administration established a regulatory rule for a new category of over-the-counter hearing aids to treat mild to moderate hearing impairment. The new rule paved the way for less expensive devices that hit store shelves in October. The FDA estimated that nearly 30 million Americans could benefit from the lower-priced hearing aids.

Approximately 15% of American adults over age 18 report trouble hearing, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.