Hearing aid (HA) prescription was not associated with meaningful improvements in memory or executive function in older adults with moderate hearing loss, but was linked to a lower long-term risk for dementia. Results of a large observations study of nearly 2800 older adults showed overall cognition scores during 7 years of follow-up were similar between adults who did and did not receive a prescription for HAs. However, the 7-year risk for cognitive impairment was 15% lower for those with HA prescriptions, and the risk for dementia was 33% lower. Although treating hearing loss with HAs may have limited influence on age-related cognitive change, the link with lower risk for dementia was “striking,” the investigators noted. The findings were published online on January 14 in Neurology.
Link: Medscape Medical News (01/2026)
