Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1
Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Geriatric,, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Iran
10.22038/jpsr.2025.86549.2689
Abstract
Purpose:
Recent research has extensively studied the relationship between age-related hearing loss and cognitive problems. Since early detection is the only effective way to treat cognitive disorders in older adults, auditory rehabilitation methods may be useful for preventing these disorders. To date, no Persian review article has been published on this topic. This article aims to investigate the relationship between age-related hearing loss and dementia, describe the underlying mechanisms, and examine the role of auditory rehabilitation interventions in preventing these disorders.
Methods:
This article reviews literature obtained from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and the Systematic Reviews Database using the keywords "age-related hearing loss," "presbycusis," "cognitive disorders," "Alzheimer's," "dementia," "hearing aids," and "cochlear implants" to identify relevant articles published in recent years.
Results:
Behavioral, electrophysiological, and imaging studies have demonstrated a strong association between hearing loss and dementia. Auditory rehabilitation, primarily through hearing aids and cochlear implants, has been shown to effectively prevent cognitive impairment in older adults. The proposed mechanism is that enhanced auditory experiences from using hearing aids can lead to greater plasticity in the auditory system, increased amplitude of evoked potentials, and improved working memory performance, ultimately enhancing overall cognitive function. Additionally, some researchers attribute this benefit to the role hearing aids play in improving quality of life, reducing depression, and addressing psychological factors that can influence dementia. However, studies on other auditory rehabilitation methods, such as auditory training, are limited, indicating a need for further research in this area.
Conclusion:
Research results show that hearing loss plays an important role in the occurrence of dementia, and the use of hearing aids in hearing-impaired people, such as hearing aids, can reduce the relative risk of cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's in older adults. Further studies are needed to identify which specific features of hearing aids should be optimized to achieve the greatest impact on cognitive health.
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