by Brian Taylor, AuD, Editor-at-Large
Brian Taylor, AuD
There is a widely held belief among hearing care providers that hearing loss is associated with developing dementia, and using hearing aids can help to reduce the risk of developing dementia. This belief does not come out of a vacuum as many studies, including recent ones from the US and Denmark suggesting a link between hearing loss and dementia, and the use of hearing aids to mitigate the effects of dementia for specific populations.
It is safe to say, however, these studies must be read with caution, as there are innumerable nuances in the study design and analysis that preclude simple, unequivocal explanations of the findings that can be shared with patients and used as part of a larger marketing communication strategy.
And perhaps more importantly, it must be remembered that the scientific evidence surrounding hearing loss, dementia and hearing aid use is mixed. Current science is unsettled as to nature of the hearing loss–dementia link.
There is no better example than the recent retraction of a study that originally claimed a link between hearing aid use and all-cause dementia. Originally published at Lancet in May 2023, the UK Biobank study was retracted by the publication on Dec 12.
Citing an error in which data for people with hearing loss using hearing aids and with hearing loss without using hearing aids were switched, which lead to errors in their final analysis, Lancet retracted the article. On the surface, the Lancet’s retraction might appear straightforward, but according to recent reports the retraction process was protracted and rather complicated.
The publication and subsequent retraction of this peer-reviewed article is an important lesson in responsible interpretation and messaging of the findings – messaging that applies thoughtful use of scientific standards, as outlined in this August 2023 JAMA publication.
