Sensory loss - hearing

Goman, Adele; Lin, Frank

Abstract

Hearing loss is a major public health issue. Hearing loss increases with age and nearly two-thirds of adults over the age of 70 have hearing loss. Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that hearing loss in older adults is strongly and independently associated with accelerated cognitive decline and incident dementia. Hypothesized mechanistic pathways underlying this observed association include the effects of poor hearing and distorted peripheral encoding of sound on cognitive load, brain structure/function, and reduced social engagement. Identifying interventions to reduce cognitive decline is a critical public health priority. Research thus far has suggested that interventions for hearing loss can provide benefits to cognitive functioning although further research is needed to determine whether hearing rehabilitative strategies could affect cognitive decline and the risk of dementia.

Citation

Goman, A., & Lin, F. (2020). Sensory loss - hearing. In C. Brayne, V. L. Feigin, L. J. Launer, & G. Logroscino (Eds.), Oxford Textbook of Neurologic and Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology (355-363). Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198749493.003.0034

• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Deposit Date: Oct 6, 2021
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Pages: 355-363
• Book Title: Oxford Textbook of Neurologic and Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology
• Chapter Number: 34
• ISBN: 978-0-19-874949-3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198749493.003.0034
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2808312