Association of Age-Related Hearing Losswith Cognitive Decline
10.3342/kjorl-hns.2020.00192
- Author:
Juyong CHUNG
1
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wonkwang University College of Medicine, Iksan, Korea
- Publication Type:Review Article
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2020;63(4):145-153
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
A number of studies have demonstrated a significant association between age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and cognitive decline. However their relationship is not clear. In this review, we focused on the etiological mechanisms between ARHL and cognitive decline to explain the nature of this relationship: 1) causal mechanisms (e.g., cognitive load hypothesis, cascade hypothesis); 2) common cause mechanisms (e.g., microvascular disease); 3) overdiagnosis or harbinger hypothesis. We conclude that no single mechanism is sufficient and hearing and cognition related to each other in several different ways. In addition, we reviewed the effectiveness of hearing intervention (e.g., hearing aids and cochlear implants) on cognition function, and the role of hearing aid use and cochlear implant depends on the relevant mechanism.
