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62/100

✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 62 out of 100. Prevention and risk

Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies

Objectives To review evidence of hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia. Data Sources : PubMed Review methods : A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed database using the search terms (hearing loss OR presbycusis) AND (dementia OR cognitive decline). Initially, 488 articles were obtained. Only those studies evaluating an association between hearing loss and incident dementia or cognitive decline were included in the analysis. This resulted in 17 articles which were thoroughly evaluated with consideration for study design, method for determining hearing loss and cognitive status, relevant covariates and confounding factors, and key findings. Results All of the 17 articles meeting inclusion criteria indicate that hearing loss is associated with dementia or cognitive decline. The methods used among the studies for ascertaining hearing loss and dementia were notably varied. For hearing loss, peripheral auditory function was tested far more than central auditory function. For peripheral audition, pure tone audiometry was the most commonly reported method for defining hearing loss. Only a few studies measured central auditory function by using the Synthetic Sentence Identification with Ipsilateral Competing Message test (SSI-ICM) and the Staggered Spondaic Word Test (SSW). Dementia was most often defined using the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE). However, many studies used extensive batteries of tests to define cognitive status, often including a neuropsychologist. Confounding variables such as cardiovascular risk factors were measured in 17 studies and family history of dementia was only evaluated in 1 study. Overall, the methods used by studies to ascertain hearing loss, cognitive status and other variables are valid, making their evaluation appear reliable. Conclusion While each of the studies included in this study utilized slightly different methods for evaluating participants, each of them demonstrated that hearing loss is associated with higher incidence of dementia in older adults. Level of evidence Level V, systematic review.

Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris

APA 7th

Thomson, R. S., Auduong, P., Miller, A. T., & Gurgel, R. K. (2017). Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: A systematic review. Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.65

Vancouver

Thomson RS, Auduong P, Miller AT, Gurgel RK. Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: A systematic review. Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology. 2017. doi:10.1002/lio2.65. PMID: 28894825.

BibTeX

@article{thomson2017-28894825,
  author  = {Thomson, R. S. and Auduong, P. and Miller, A. T. and Gurgel, R. K.},
  title   = {{Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: A systematic review}},
  journal = {Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology},
  year    = {2017},
  doi     = {10.1002/lio2.65},
  pmid    = {28894825},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.65}
}

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Key findings

Results All of the 17 articles meeting inclusion criteria indicate that hearing loss is associated with dementia or cognitive decline.
Overall, the methods used by studies to ascertain hearing loss, cognitive status and other variables are valid, making their evaluation appear reliable.
Conclusion While each of the studies included in this study utilized slightly different methods for evaluating participants, each of them demonstrated that hearing loss is associated with higher incidence of dementia in older adults.

Why it matters

All 17 studies in this review found that hearing loss is associated with dementia or cognitive decline. The methods used to measure hearing loss and dementia varied widely across studies, and the review does not show that treating hearing loss prevents dementia.

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Study details

Study designsystematic review
Evidence strengthHigh

How this study scored 62/100

Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.

Component	Points	Why
Journal tier	7 / 10	Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology)
Journal's citation record	0 / 4	Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology: journal h-index 56 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29)
Study design	12 / 12	A systematic review of all the studies on the question
Strength of evidence	5 / 5	Rated “high” in our summary
Peer-review validation	10 / 10	Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal.
How recent	2 / 5	2017 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here
Sample size	0 / 4	Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0)
Effect reported	0 / 3	No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0)
Studied in people	0 / 3	Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0)
Randomised / blinded	0 / 2	A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here
Times cited	6 / 7	Cited 335 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10)
Citations per year	4 / 5	30.5 citations a year over 11 year(s) since 2017
Impact for its field and year	3 / 6	Cited 3.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI)
Cited by studies here	3 / 6	Cited by 13 other studies in this library
Still being cited	3 / 4	Cited 107 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex)
Senior author's track record	2 / 4	Last-listed author Richard Klaus Gurgel: h-index 35 (OpenAlex, whole career)
Institution's track record	1 / 3	University of Utah: institution h-index 1,238 (OpenAlex)
Multi-centre collaboration	0 / 3	OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete)
Indexed in PubMed	2 / 2	Indexed in PubMed (PMID 28894825)
Free to read	2 / 2	Free to read
Total	62 / 100	—

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