Can hearing aids reduce dementia risk and help people live longer?

Hearing loss has been linked to increased dementia risk and higher overall mortality. In this episode, we examine whether hearing aids may reduce cognitive decline risk and how hearing impairment is assessed in Europe.

In this episode, we cover:

• What age-related hearing loss is (sensorineural hearing decline)

• The association between hearing loss and dementia risk

• Possible mechanisms: social isolation, cognitive load, brain atrophy

• Research on hearing aid use and cognitive outcomes

• Limitations of observational studies

• When formal audiology testing is recommended

• When memory symptoms require neurological evaluation

• Situations where remote-only assessment may not be appropriate

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