Impact of hearing loss and hearing aid use on cognitive performance among middle-aged adults

Abstract Background Although hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline in older adults, little is known about how this relationship manifests during midlife, a critical period for preventive intervention. Because hearing loss is considered a modifiable risk factor for dementia beginning in midlife, examining its association with cognitive performance and hearing aid use in this age group is clinically important. This study aimed to investigate the impact of hearing loss and hearing aid use on cognitive skills in individuals aged 45–65. Methods A total of 129 individuals aged 45–65 years were included in the study: 49 with normal hearing (NH), 40 with hearing loss who did not use hearing aids (HL-no HA), and 40 with hearing loss who used hearing aids (HL-HA). Participants were administered the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination (SLUMS) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results Statistically significant differences were found among the three groups in terms of MoCA and SLUMS scores. For MoCA, scores were significantly higher in the NH group than in both hearing-loss groups, and in the HL-HA group than in the HL-no HA group. For SLUMS, the NH and HL-HA groups had significantly higher scores than the HL-no HA group, whereas the difference between the NH and HL-HA groups was not statistically significant. In the hearing-aid group, longer auditory-deprivation duration was significantly associated with lower SLUMS scores. In the group not using hearing aids, greater hearing-loss severity was significantly associated with lower MoCA and SLUMS scores. Conclusion This study suggests that hearing loss in middle-aged adults is associated with poorer cognitive performance, while hearing aid use is associated with more favorable cognitive performance among individuals with hearing loss.