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Do Hearing Aids Help Prevent Cognitive Decline?

BACKGROUND Dementia is a devastating disease and public health concern that affects 50 million individuals globally, a number projected to triple by 2050. A growing body of research has identified an independent association between age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and both dementia and impaired cognition, as well as other conditions of the elderly (e.g., depression, loneliness, increased risk of falls, and frailty). Given limited efficacy of existing pharmacologic treatments for dementia, treating risk factors is a crucial strategy. A severely undertreated and highly prevalent disease in the elderly, ARHL is a compelling potential target for preventative strategies for cognitive decline and dementia. In this Best Practice, we ask if hearing aid (HA) use has a positive impact on cognitive decline and dementia.