Hearing Loss, Brain Structure, Cognition, and Dementia Risk in the Framingham Heart Study

Is midlife hearing loss associated with markers of brain aging, cognitive decline, and risk of developing dementia?In this cohort study of 2178 Framingham Heart Study participants, mild or greater hearing loss was associated with smaller brain volume, greater white matter abnormalities, and declines in executive function over time. Any hearing loss was associated with a 71% increased risk of developing dementia, especially in persons with at least 1 apolipoprotein E ε4 allele, with hearing aid use mitigating these risks.These findings suggest that midlife hearing loss may be an early marker of brain aging and dementia risk, particularly among persons with at least 1 apolipoprotein E ε4 allele.

Corresponding Author: Sudha Seshadri, MD, Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, MC 8070, San Antonio, TX 01503 (seshadri@uthscsa.edu).

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