Over the years, we create memories we never want to forget, like how the sunset looks during time spent barbequing with the family at Balboa Park.
Unfortunately, you could be at risk of losing precious memories like these. A recent study found that people with both hearing and vision loss are more than twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those without.
About the Study
The study was published in May of this year in the journal Neurology and involved 6,520 participants ages 58 to 101. Data was gathered every two years through self-report questionnaires and cognitive testing for a total of six years.
Each participant ranked their hearing and vision on the following scale:
- Normal.
- Reduced, but able to function with hearing aids and/or glasses.
- Reduced, and unable to function with hearing aids and/or glasses.
- No hearing/sight at all.
The Results
After the first screening, researchers learned that:
- 932 participants had normal hearing and vision; 2.3% of this group had dementia.
- 2,957 participants had either hearing or vision loss; 2.4% of this group had dementia.
- 2,631 participants had both hearing and vision loss; 8% of this group had dementia.
The six-year follow-up screenings showed that 245 more people developed dementia. The breakdown is shown below:
- 14 of 737 participants with normal hearing and vision developed dementia.
- 69 of the 2,396 people with either hearing or vision loss developed dementia.
- 146 of the 1,964 people with both hearing and vision loss developed dementia.
What This Means
The results of this study reveal that dementia is over twice as common among those with both hearing and vision loss compared to those with no or just one impairment.
“Our results suggest that coexisting visual and hearing impairments facilitate dementia prevalence, dementia incidence, and cognitive decline,” said study authors. It’s still unclear exactly how these conditions are linked; however, the study emphasizes need for early intervention for both hearing and vision loss.
For more information about the importance of preserving your hearing health or to schedule an appointment for a hearing test, call San Diego ENT today.