32% Of New Dementia Cases Are Among Older Adults With Objectively Diagnosed Hearing Loss

About 32% of new dementia cases occur among non-institutionalized older adults with objectively measured hearing loss, researchers reported. Among those with audiometrically confirmed hearing loss and dementia, the population-attributable fraction of dementia cases was similar for those with mild or more severe hearing loss, at 16.2% among those with mild hearing loss and 16.6% with moderate or greater hearing loss. Self-reported hearing loss was not associated with an increased incidence of dementia.

The researchers stated that hearing loss treatment delays cognitive decline in high-risk older adults. Treating hearing loss might delay dementia for many . . .