Alzheimer’s, dementia associated with hearing loss
A new American study in the February edition of Archives of Neurology has reported that hearing loss may be associated with increased risk of dementia and the development of Alzheimer’s. In addition, risk increases as hearing loss becomes more severe.
“Hearing loss may be casually related to dementia, possibly through exhaustion of cognitive reserve, social isolation, environmental differentiation [elimination of sensory nerve fibers] or a combination of these pathways,” the authors write.
However it is important to note that dementia may be over diagnosed in individuals with hearing loss, or those with cognitive impairment may be over diagnosed with hearing loss. The two conditions may share an underlying neuropathologic process.
The researchers believe that “If confirmed in other independent cohorts, the findings of our study could have substantial implications for individuals and public health. Hearing loss in older adults may be preventable and can be practically addressed with current technology (e.g., digital hearing aids and cochlear implants) and with other rehabilitative interventions focusing on optimizing social and environmental conditions for hearing.
“With the increasing number of people with hearing loss, research into the mechanistic pathways linking hearing loss with dementia and the potential of rehabilitative strategies to moderate this association are critically needed.”
The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease specifically also increased with hearing loss, such that for every 10 decibels of hearing loss, the extra risk increased by 20%. There was no association between self-reported use of hearing aids and a reduction in dementia or Alzheimer’s disease risk.
Canberra researchers find the language of dementia not universal
The barriers facing Australian dementia sufferers from culturally and linguistically diverse(CALD) backgrounds will be the subject of a study from The Australian National University (ANU), which seeks to speak directly to people in the early stages of dementia.
The research project will be conducted by Tushara Wickramariyaratne from the Department of Psychology at ANU. It aims to shed light on many unanswered questions about the challenges that Australia, as a multi-cultural country, faces in its efforts to cater to its ageing population.
Ms Wickramariyaratne said that different cultures approach the onset of dementia very distinctly and that there was little research into the barriers that people from culturally and linguistically different backgrounds face.
“We know that there is a huge difference in dementia literacy between people from Anglo-Australian backgrounds and CALD backgrounds,” she said.
“We also know that people from CALD backgrounds have difficulties accessing mainstream support services. What my study aims to find out is what barriers people from CALD communities face in accessing support and seeking help for dementia, with an aim to inform policy about outreach and early intervention programs, particularly targeting these groups.”
As part of the study, Ms Wickramariyaratne is looking for people to participate in the research, from both Anglo-Australian and CALD backgrounds.
“Most dementia research that exists has not actually involved the person with dementia, and so this is an essential point for me. In order to ensure that people with dementia can fully participate in the research, I am looking for people with early stage dementia.”
Ms Wickramariyaratne who is running the study as part of her research placement with Alzheimer’s Australia, said that there might be an opportunity for her to provide short-term supportive therapy subsequent to the study for people struggling with their experience of the onset of the dementia.
