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Age-related hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis and systematic review of population-based studies

Part of: JLO Editors' Choice Papers 2022

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 December 2021

K Lau ,
P A Dimitriadis ,
C Mitchell ,
M Martyn-St-James ,
D Hind  and
J Ray
K Lau*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield, UK
P A Dimitriadis
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield, UK
C Mitchell
Affiliation:
Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK
M Martyn-St-James
Affiliation:
Health Economics and Decisions Science, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, UK
D Hind
Affiliation:
Clinical Trials Research Unit, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, UK
J Ray
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Kimberley Lau, Department of Otolaryngology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Glossop Rd, Broomhall, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK E-mail: kimberleylau@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to identify any relationship between hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment.

Method

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials conducted using Medline and the Cochrane Library up to 24 June 2020. Prospective, cohort and cross-sectional, and observational studies that reported on the relationship between mild cognitive impairment and hearing loss were included.

Results

A total of 34 studies reporting data on 48 017 participants were included. Twenty-three studies observed a significant association between hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment. The pooled risk ratio across all studies of prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in people with hearing loss was 1.44 (random-effects; 95 per cent CI = 1.27–1.64; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0 per cent). Significantly more people with mild cognitive impairment had peripheral hearing loss compared with those without (risk ratio, 1.40 random-effects; 95 per cent CI = 1.10–1.77; p = 0.005; I2 = 0 per cent). When the incidence was studied, significantly more people with peripheral hearing loss had mild cognitive impairment compared with those without (risk ratio = 2.06 random-effects; 95 per cent CI = 1.35–3.15; p = 0.0008; I2 = 97 per cent); however; a high level of statistical heterogeneity was evident.

Conclusion

Most of the studies included in this systematic review observed a significant association between hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment.

Keywords

Hearing LossMild Cognitive ImpairmentDementiaPresbycusis
Type
Review Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 2 , February 2022 , pp. 103 - 118
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Dr K Lau takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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