Cognitive Decline and Hearing Loss
Cognivue® Now Available at BHSC
By Amy Bamrick, M.S. Ed CCC-SLP
We hear with our ears, but listen with our brains. Our ears pick up sound, but our brain makes sense of what we’re hearing. Knowing that hearing loss is related to cognitive decline, Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center (BHSC) now uses Cognivue® in conjunction with hearing assessments. An FDA-cleared tool for early detection of cognitive impairment, Cognivue® helps determine the best possible hearing aid solution for each patient.
Emerging research confirms the relationship between cognitive decline and hearing loss. As people age, they are often affected by varying degrees of cognitive impairment that affect memory, learning, and communication. At the same time, hearing loss is also a prevalent health condition affecting older adults, causing not only frustration in communication, but also contributing to a range of social and psychological issues.
Cognitive decline can manifest as a decrease in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, language, and executive functions. In more severe cases, it can lead to forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Hearing loss, which may range from mild to profound, impacts an individual’s ability to perceive sounds, including speech. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, over 900 million people will have disabling hearing loss, making this a major public health issue.
Social isolation is also a common consequence of untreated hearing loss. Individuals with hearing difficulties often withdraw from social interactions due to communication challenges, leading to loneliness and reduced mental stimulation. Social engagement is known to play a protective role in cognitive health, and lack of such interaction can hasten cognitive decline. Age-related physical and mental changes are also contributing factors to the link between hearing loss and cognition. Hearing loss may also reflect broader neurodegenerative processes that affect cognitive functioning.
Research shows that both auditory processing and executive function are intricately linked; thus, deterioration in one area may influence the other. A study published in JAMA Otolaryngology found that older adults with hearing impairment were more likely to demonstrate significant cognitive decline over time compared to those with normal hearing, and a longitudinal study found that individuals with moderate to severe hearing loss had a higher risk of developing dementia. These findings underscore the importance of early identification and management of hearing loss to mitigate potential cognitive decline.
Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center understands that cognitive decline and hearing loss is a multifaceted issue that warrants attention, research, and clinical contexts. Understanding the interconnectedness of these two conditions is helping us provide patients with improved strategies for prevention, early detection, and intervention. It is why we are at the forefront in providing Western New York patients with the tools and technology that can help them hear better and keep their brain functioning as it should.
Amy Bamrick, M.S. Ed CCC-SLP is Director of Clinic and Community Services at Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center. To make an appointment for a hearing and cognitive assessment, visit www.askbhsc.org or call 716-885-8318 to be seen at a location nearest you.