Abstract Details

Title Severity of Hearing Loss as a Predictor of Dementia Risk: Insights from the ARIC Study

Topic Aging, Dementia, and Behavioral Neurology

Presentation(s) P9 - Poster Session 9 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 3-013

Objective To evaluate the association between severity of hearing loss and risk of incident dementia in participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Background According to the Lancet Commission, hearing loss carries the highest population attributable risk for dementia. The impact of varying degrees of hearing loss on dementia risk requires further investigation.

Design/Methods We conducted a Cox proportional hazards survival analysis on 2,578 participants from the ARIC study, with covariates—including hearing loss, cognitive status, and other risk factors—measured at visit 6 (2016–2017). Incident dementia diagnosis was the outcome with a maximum follow-up period of 3 years. Audiometry-derived h earing loss was the exposure and categorized as none (<25 dB hearing level [HL]), mild (≥25 to <40 dB HL), or moderate/severe (≥40 dB HL).

Results We included 2,578 individuals at baseline (mean age 79.1±4.5 years, 58.2% female, 18.4% Black). There were 152 dementia cases during the study period. In a Cox model adjusted for age, sex, race, education, APOE genotype, diabetes, hypertension, previous stroke and cognitive decline, moderate/severe hearing loss was associated with a higher risk of dementia (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.03-2.62, p=0.038), while mild hearing loss was not (HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.75-1.83, p=0.492). Other significant predictors of dementia included advanced age (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.06-1.13, p<0.001), APOE ε4 carrier status (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.25-2.15, p<0.001), diabetes (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.10-2.15, p=0.011), and cognitive decline (HR 2.71, 95% CI 1.91-3.83, p<0.001). There was no interaction between hearing loss and sex, race, or age (all p>0.5).

Conclusions Moderate to severe hearing loss is an independent predictor of dementia risk. Given the projected rise in dementia cases, understanding the optimal timing for screening and intervening on hearing loss is paramount. Concurrently, ensuring equitable access to hearing aids for at-risk populations may produce a meaningful impact on the burden of dementia.

Authors/Disclosures
Lauren O. Littig (Yale School of Medicine) PRESENTER	Ms. Littig has nothing to disclose.
Neeharika Krothapalli, DO	Dr. Krothapalli has nothing to disclose.
Ka-Ho Wong (U of U Neurology Clinic)	The institution of Mr. Wong has received research support from The Sumaira Foundation . The institution of Mr. Wong has received research support from The Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association.
Kevin N. Sheth, MD, FAAN (Yale UniversityDivision of Neuro and Critical Care)	Dr. Sheth has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Ceribell. Dr. Sheth has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Zoll. Dr. Sheth has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for NControl. Dr. Sheth has received stock or an ownership interest from Astrocyte. Dr. Sheth has received stock or an ownership interest from Alva. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Biogen. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Novartis. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Bard. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Hyperfine. Dr. Sheth has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
Eric Stulberg, MD (University of Utah)	Dr. Stulberg has nothing to disclose.
Adam De Havenon, MD, FAAN (Yale University)	Dr. De Havenon has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novo Nordisk. Dr. De Havenon has or had stock in Certus.Dr. De Havenon has or had stock in TitinKM. The institution of Dr. De Havenon has received research support from NIH/NINDS. Dr. De Havenon has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.

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