Project Summary
Hearing loss has been identified by the Lancet Commissions as a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia, accounting for 9% of the risk. The causes of dementia are unknown, and there is no effective treatment.
This study is investigating whether remediation of hearing loss in older adults with hearing aids will delay or prevent cognitive decline. The results of this study will inform future hearing management of older adults around the world with hearing loss.
Objectives
To investigate the relationships between:
- Degree of hearing loss and rate/extent of cognitive decline.
- Degree of hearing aid benefit, amount of hearing aid use and cognitive changes.
- Hearing aid benefit and changes in quality of life, defined across a variety of measures.
Duration
2017-
Participants
This study is currently recruiting participants through The University of Melbourne Audiology Clinic. To be eligible for the research, you must have attended the clinic for a hearing test and meet the following criteria:
- aged 60 years or over
- have not worn hearing aids in the past (except for a brief trial)
- clinical suitability for hearing aids and wanting to trial hearing aids
- no previously diagnosed cognitive disease (e.g. dementia)
- able to read and fill in questionnaires in English
If you are interested in the study, and would like to book a hearing test at The University of Melbourne Audiology Clinic, please call +61 3 9035 5333 to speak to reception.
Funding
- Sonova AG, Switzerland
- Victorian Medical Research Acceleration grant, Victorian Department of Health and Human Services
- In kind contributions from CogState Research and The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health (AIBL Study)
