Age-related hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis and systematic review of population-based studies

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to identify any relationship between hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment. Method This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials conducted using Medline and the Cochrane Library up to 24 June 2020. Prospective, cohort and cross-sectional, and observational studies that reported on the relationship between mild cognitive impairment and hearing loss were included. Results A total of 34 studies reporting data on 48 017 participants were included. Twenty-three studies observed a significant association between hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment. The pooled risk ratio across all studies of prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in people with hearing loss was 1.44 (random-effects; 95 per cent CI = 1.27–1.64; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0 per cent). Significantly more people with mild cognitive impairment had peripheral hearing loss compared with those without (risk ratio, 1.40 random-effects; 95 per cent CI = 1.10–1.77; p = 0.005; I2 = 0 per cent). When the incidence was studied, significantly more people with peripheral hearing loss had mild cognitive impairment compared with those without (risk ratio = 2.06 random-effects; 95 per cent CI = 1.35–3.15; p = 0.0008; I2 = 97 per cent); however; a high level of statistical heterogeneity was evident. Conclusion Most of the studies included in this systematic review observed a significant association between hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment.

The Relationship of Age-Related Hearing Loss with Cognitive Decline and Dementia in a Sinitic Language-Speaking Adult Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The effect size of pooled studies on cognitive impairment was 1.95 (95% CI, 1.73–2.18), which is consistent with a previously published meta-analysis of studies conducted in non-tonal language-speaking populations, which showed that the pooled odds ratio of cognitive impairment in people with hearing loss was 2.00 (95% CI, 1.39–2.89; Loughrey et al, 2018 ). However, in a more recent meta-analysis of studies conducted in non-tonal language-speaking populations, the OR of 1.44 (95% CI, 1.27–1.64; Lau et al, 2021 ) is significantly lower than reported in the present study. One possible explanation is that only studies of participants with mild cognitive impairment were included in this meta-analysis (in the non-tonal language population).…”

“…We found that the risk of cognitive impairment or dementia is greater among older people with hearing loss than those without, regardless of study design, method of assessment of hearing and cognition, and sample size. These findings are consistent with the findings of previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies in non-tonal language populations ( Ford et al, 2018 ; Lau et al, 2021 ; Taljaard et al, 2013 ). Furthermore, a similar association was found in eight included studies between hearing thresholds and cognitive function (impairment or not), except for in one study ( Yu et al, 2020 ), in which a significant relationship was not observed.…”

The impact of untreated hearing loss on depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness in tonal language-speaking older adults in China

“…It has previously been reported ( Fu et al, 2021 ), using the same data set as used in the present study, that social loneliness is associated with cognitive decline. Given the fact that a number of epidemiological studies have shown evidence that hearing loss is an independent modifiable risk factor for accelerating cognitive decline ( Taljaard et al, 2016 ; Lau et al, 2021 ), more attention should be given to understanding the inter-relationships between hearing loss, social loneliness and cognitive decline. The evidence of the role of culture in the relationship between hearing loss and loneliness is inconclusive.…”

Virtual issue: ENT care of older adults

“…8 With the rise in dementia and cognitive disorders in the population, attention has focused on the relationships between hearing impairment, the auditory brain and cognitive decline. 9 Improved afferent inputs from the use of hearing aids, for example, may have a role in limiting cognitive decline, so there is every reason to seek help for hearing loss. Screening for acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) is often age-limited, but this needs to be considered on an individual basis.…”