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Review
. 2023 Jul;56(4):261-268.
doi: 10.1007/s00391-023-02178-z. Epub 2023 May 4.

Do hearing loss interventions prevent dementia?

Piers Dawes  1   2 , Christiane Völter  3
Affiliations
Review

Do hearing loss interventions prevent dementia?

Piers Dawes et al. Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2023 Jul.

Abstract
in English, German

Hearing loss has been identified as a potentially modifiable risk for dementia. This discussion paper reviews studies examining the impact of hearing loss interventions on cognitive decline and incident cognitive impairment, identified the challenges for research on the cognitive impacts of hearing interventions, and the likely benefits of hearing interventions for healthy aging and mental well-being.

Eine Hörminderung gilt als einer der möglichen Risikofaktoren für das Auftreten einer Demenz. Die vorliegende Arbeit soll einen Überblick über die aktuellen Studien zu den Auswirkungen hörrehabilitativer Maßnahmen auf den kognitiven Abbau im Alter geben und kritisch die Herausforderungen und Bias in diesem Kontext sowie den Benefit einer adäquaten Hörversorgung im Hinblick auf ein gesundes Altern und das geistige Wohlbefinden darlegen.

Keywords: Cochlear implants; Cognitive impairment; Hearing aids; Review; Risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

P. Dawes and C. Völter declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Three scenarios that may explain an association between hearing loss and dementia risk
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Impact of untreated hearing impairment and benefits for hearing intervention on function and progression to dementia. Dark and light blue lines indicate trajectories of functional decline with age-related changes in cognition
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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