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Park M, Jang SI, Hurh K, Park EC, Kim SH. Increased Risk of Dementia Following a Diagnosis of Hearing Impairment: A South Korean Nationwide Cohort Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:679-686. [PMID: 38143356 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among the older adults, hearing impairment is a common problem and may contribute to dementia. OBJECTIVE Therefore, we aimed to examine the association between hearing impairment and the risk of dementia among older adults in South Korea. METHODS Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Senior Cohort from 2005 to 2019, we collected data of 44,728 patients. Hearing impairment was determined using the national disability registry. Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed to match patients with and without hearing impairment (case: 22,364, control: 22,364). A Cox proportional hazards regression model was built to analyze the association between hearing impairment and dementia. RESULTS Patients with hearing impairment had a higher risk of dementia than those without hearing impairment (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23-1.34). Assessing the degree of disability, both severe (HR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.16-1.35) and mild conditions (HR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.23-1.35) had an increased risk of dementia, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Older patients with hearing impairment exhibit an increased risk of dementia, thereby warranting a new approach to dementia care among these patients regardless of the degree of hearing impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minah Park
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-In Jang
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungduk Hurh
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Cheol Park
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hoon Kim
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Daejeon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
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Wang HS, Köhler S, Batterink LJ. Separate but not independent: Behavioral pattern separation and statistical learning are differentially affected by aging. Cognition 2023; 239:105564. [PMID: 37467624 DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2023.105564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Our brains are capable of discriminating similar inputs (pattern separation) and rapidly generalizing across inputs (statistical learning). Are these two processes dissociable in behavior? Here, we asked whether cognitive aging affects them in a differential or parallel manner. Older and younger adults were tested on their ability to discriminate between similar trisyllabic words and to extract trisyllabic words embedded in a continuous speech stream. Older adults demonstrated intact statistical learning on an implicit, reaction time-based measure and an explicit, familiarity-based measure of learning. However, they performed poorly in discriminating similar items presented in isolation, both for episodically-encoded items and for statistically-learned regularities. These results indicate that pattern separation and statistical learning are dissociable and differentially affected by aging. The acquisition of implicit representations of statistical regularities operates robustly into old age, whereas pattern separation influences the expression of statistical learning with high representational fidelity and is subject to age-related decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Shizhe Wang
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stefan Köhler
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura J Batterink
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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Cominetti MR, Pott H, Zúñiga RG, Romero-Ortuno R. 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. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2023; 112:105043. [PMID: 37104978 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.105043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Regina Cominetti
- Department of Gerontology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil; The Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Henrique Pott
- Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil; Department of Medicine (Geriatrics), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 2E1, Canada (Visiting Research Fellow)
| | - Raquel Gutiérrez Zúñiga
- The Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Roman Romero-Ortuno
- The Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Discipline of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Kobewka D, Ruller S, Daly B, Mark Fraser AE, Bromwich M, Sveistrup H, Wilson K. Usability, acceptability and clinical utility of a mobile app to screen for hearing loss in older adults in a geriatric rehabilitation hospital. J Eval Clin Pract 2023; 29:392-396. [PMID: 36420708 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Hearing loss is a common problem for older adults entering rehabilitation hospitals. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To pilot a hearing loss screening device to determine feasibility, usability, and impact on patient outcomes. METHODS We screened all patients newly admitted to a geriatric day hospital for hearing loss using the SHOEBOX® QuickTest (SHOEBOX Ltd.) app as part of a quality improvement programme. We measured the time it took for each patient to complete screening and recorded any issues they had using the app. We recorded the number of patients who screened positive who did not have a previous diagnosis and changes in physician behaviours after they received their patients' results. RESULTS Seventy-four patients with a mean age of 83.4 years used the hearing screener. All patients were able to complete the screening with a mean time to completion of 10 min and 48 s. Ninety-nine percent of patients screened positive for hearing loss. Of these positives 56% were in participants not already known to have hearing loss. Physicians often changed their behaviour after receiving results by using assistive devices during visits and referring to audiology for formal testing. CONCLUSIONS Screening for hearing loss is feasible in a geriatric day hospital. The SHOEBOX QuickTest app is acceptable, usable, resulting in the identification of undiagnosed hearing loss and in changes to physician behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kobewka
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Clinical Epidemiology Programme, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sydney Ruller
- Clinical Epidemiology Programme, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Blake Daly
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Matt Bromwich
- SHOEBOX Ltd, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Heidi Sveistrup
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kumanan Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Clinical Epidemiology Programme, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Hearing loss is one of the largest modifiable risk factors for developing dementia, accounting for up to 9% of the overall modifiable risk. The neuropsychologic and psychosocial impacts of hearing loss are becoming increasingly appreciated. The objective of this review is to explore the recent literature regarding the cognitive and behavioral effects of hearing loss and the role of hearing rehabilitation, particularly in older adults. RECENT FINDINGS Cognitive decline may begin while patients have subclinical hearing loss, earlier than previously thought. Hearing rehabilitation, either via hearing amplification, middle ear surgery, or cochlear implantation, likely plays a role in preventing or slowing the rate of cognitive decline in patients with hearing loss. Hearing loss can increase the likelihood of social isolation, loneliness and depression in older adults, but it is unclear at this time what effect hearing rehabilitation has on these domains. SUMMARY Hearing loss is one of the largest modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline, and hearing rehabilitation can play a significant role in preserving cognitive function. Understanding the cognitive and psychosocial impact of hearing loss can help facilitate the development of approaches for prevention and treatment.
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