Study Supports Correlation Between Hearing Loss and Dementia in Older Patients

Nevertheless, the evidence is strong, he said. “There have been enough large, epidemiologic studies of different populations that have shown an association between hearing loss and cognitive decline that I think an undeniable connection exists.”

And then there is the weight of clinical experience to consider. “I agree with Dr. Lin on this,” Dr. Gurgel said. “When elderly patients with or without cognitive decline can’t hear, they are effectively ‘cut off’ from their environment. They tend to become socially isolated and withdraw from otherwise enriching social interactions. By intervening with some form of aural rehabilitation, patients become much more engaged and their quality of life improves. I’ve seen this many times in my practice.”