Ray J, et al. – Previous research has shown a connection between age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) and cognitive decline. Few studies, however, have investigated this relation in large, well-characterized groups of community-dwelling individuals. This cohort study of participants aged ≥50 years from the United Kingdom (UK) examined the association of ARHI with cognitive decline and evaluated untreated hearing loss and social isolation as potential explanations for the observed link. Results suggested that social isolation acts as a mediating factor in the link for those who have an untreated hearing loss, and cognitive decline associated with ARHI may be prevented by early hearing rehabilitation and opportunistic screening for those aged >50 years.

Methods

• This cross-sectional analysis of wave 7 (June 2014 through May 2015) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) sampled male and female participants aged ≥50 years living in the UK within a community setting.
• Exclusion criteria included those with a diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer disease, or Parkinson disease, or with ear infections and cochlear implants.
• From August 1, 2017, through May 25, 2018, data were analyzed.
• Memory and executive function as measures of cognitive function and hearing acuity derived from the HearCheck screener device (Siemens) were the main outcomes and measures analyzed.

Results

• A total of 7385 of 9666 individuals in wave 7 of ELSA were eligible for analysis (55.1% women; mean [standard deviation] age, 67.4 [9.4] years).
• Of those eligible, 3056 (41.4%) had mild hearing loss and 755 (10.2%) had severe hearing loss; 834 (11.3%) used a hearing aid; and 7155 (96.9%) were white.
• Data showed that hearing loss was negatively linked with cognition; for those with moderate to severe loss, the score on memory assessment was a full 1 point less (-1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.24 to -0.76), ceteris paribus, vs those with no hearing loss.
• This affiliation was observed only in the participants with untreated hearing loss (ie, those who did not use hearing aids; -1.16; 95% CI: -1.45 to -0.87).
• Findings indicated that social isolation may act as a mediating factor in the link for those who have untreated hearing loss.