Protecting cognitive function in older adults with age-related hearing loss: Insights from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) and the role of hearing aids

Background: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is prevalent in adults over 70, impairing hearing sensitivity and speech perception. ARHL has been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. However, most affected adults are not receiving adequate treatment, including hearing aids. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ARHL on cognitive decline in older adults participating in the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (TILDA). Design: Methods: Data from four TILDA waves, a 6-year follow-up, was collected and analyzed using zero-inflated Poisson regression. The primary outcome, cognitive function, was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) total score and error counts. Results: Our analysis revealed that age, education, use of aids to help with hearing, and history of stroke were significantly associated with error counts at baseline. Additionally, poor hearing was associated with a negative change in MMSE score from wave 4, indicating the potential role of ARHL in cognitive decline. When further adjusted for age, sex, history of stroke, hypertension, any emotional, nervous, or psychiatric problem, polypharmacy, and hearing aids, the zero-inflated Poisson model indicated that poor hearing, use of hearing aids, stroke, hypertension, and polypharmacy all predicted MMSE error counts in follow-up assessments. Moreover, the use of hearing aids was associated with a decreased likelihood of cognitive decline. Conclusion: ARHL was independently associated with cognitive decline, underscoring the importance of addressing hearing loss in older adults. Future research should explore the potential of hearing aids to protect cognitive functioning in older adults.