We have recently begun asking patients at the Kahn Center about their hearing. Why? Read on as the link between hearing loss and the risk of dementia needs to be better appreciated. And there is a diet to help! And it involves lots of plants!
Hearing loss poses a significant global public health concern associated with cognitive decline. Among the many risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD), hearing loss is the most prevalent sensory impairment in older adults and has emerged as a significant, yet often overlooked, modifiable risk factor for dementia.
The Chicago Health and Aging Project, a community-based cohort study involving 5,145 older adults (62 % non-Hispanic Black, 63 % female).
Hearing was assessed periodically along with dietary patterns, focusing on adherence to dietary patterns such as Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean, and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND).
Cognitive function assessment was conducted during the in-home visits at each cycle. Four cognitive tests, including the East Boston tests of immediate and delayed recall, the mini-mental State Examination, and the Symbol Digit Modalities test, were included. We used linear mixed effect models to examine 1) the association of hearing loss and cognitive decline and 2) the association of diet on cognitive decline through modifying risk hearing loss.
Among 5,145 participants,, 747 (15 %) reported hearing loss.
Each unit increase in the DASH, MedDiet, and MIND scores was associated with 19 %, 11 %,m and 13 % lower risk for hearing loss, respectively.
High adherence to the Western diet was associated with an earlier onset of hearing loss up to 14 months.
Participants had an increased rate of cognitive decline after reporting hearing loss.
Healthy dietary patterns, particularly the DASH diet, was associated with a reduced risk of hearing loss and slower cognitive decline following hearing loss.
Clinically, these findings underscore the importance of dietary quality in preserving cognitive health by potentially mitigating risk of hearing loss or delaying the onset of hearing loss in older adults.
We teach plant-based diets for cardiovascular disease health at the Kahn Center. All the diets mentioned here are "plant-forward" and recommending reducing or eliminating animal foods, particularly red meats and dairy.
Eat plants, hear better, think better!
