Editing Hearing loss (section)

=== Complications ===
Hearing loss is associated with [[Alzheimer's disease]] and [[dementia]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hung SC | title = Hearing Loss is Associated With Risk of Alzheimer's Disease: A Case-Control Study in Older People | journal = Journal of Epidemiology | publisher = Journal of Epidemiol | date=Aug 2015 | volume = 25 | issue = 8 | pages = 517–521 | doi=10.2188/jea.JE20140147 | pmid = 25986155 | pmc = 4517989 }}</ref> The risk increases with the hearing loss degree. A [[systematic review]] and [[Meta-analysis|meta analysis]] assessed the link between hearing loss and dementia subtypes. Hearing loss was linked to an increased risk of mild to severe cognitive problems, including [[mild cognitive impairment]] and Alzheimer’s disease. Hearing loss was not linked to an increased risk of [[vascular dementia]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yu |first1=Ruan-Ching |last2=Proctor |first2=Danielle |last3=Soni |first3=Janvi |last4=Pikett |first4=Liam |last5=Livingston |first5=Gill |last6=Lewis |first6=Glyn |last7=Schilder |first7=Anne |last8=Bamiou |first8=Doris |last9=Mandavia |first9=Rishi |last10=Omar |first10=Rumana |last11=Pavlou |first11=Menelaos |last12=Lin |first12=Frank |last13=Goman |first13=Adele M. |last14=Gonzalez |first14=Sergi Costafreda |date=2024-07-01 |title=Adult-onset hearing loss and incident cognitive impairment and dementia – A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568163724001648 |journal=Ageing Research Reviews |volume=98 |pages=102346 |doi=10.1016/j.arr.2024.102346 |pmid=38788800 |issn=1568-1637}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=19 February 2025 |title=What impact does hearing loss have on dementia risk? |url=https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/what-impact-does-hearing-loss-have-on-dementia-risk/ |journal=NIHR Evidence}}</ref> There are several hypotheses including cognitive resources being redistributed to hearing and social isolation from hearing loss having a negative effect.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Thomson RS, Auduong P, Miller AT, Gurgel RK | title = Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: A systematic review | journal = Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology | volume = 2 | issue = 2 | pages = 69–79 | date = April 2017 | pmid = 28894825 | pmc = 5527366 | doi = 10.1002/lio2.65 }}</ref> According to preliminary data, [[hearing aid]] usage can slow down the decline in [[cognitive functions]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hoppe U, Hesse G | title = Hearing aids: indications, technology, adaptation, and quality control | journal = GMS Current Topics in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery | volume = 16 | pages = Doc08 | date = 2017-12-18 | pmid = 29279726 | pmc = 5738937 | doi = 10.3205/cto000147 }}</ref>

Hearing loss is responsible for causing [[Thalamocortical dysrhythmia|thalamocortical dysrthymia]] in the brain which is a cause for several neurological disorders including [[tinnitus]] and [[Visual snow|visual snow syndrome]].{{cn|date=December 2024}}

==== Cognitive decline ====
Hearing loss is an increasing concern especially in aging populations. The prevalence of hearing loss increases about two-fold for each decade increase in age after age 40.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lin FR, Niparko JK, Ferrucci L | title = Hearing loss prevalence in the United States | journal = Archives of Internal Medicine | volume = 171 | issue = 20 | pages = 1851–1852 | date = November 2011 | pmid = 22083573 | doi = 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.506 | pmc = 3564588 | doi-access = free }}</ref> While the secular trend might decrease individual level risk of developing hearing loss, the prevalence of hearing loss is expected to rise due to the aging population in the US. Another concern about aging process is cognitive decline, which may progress to [[mild cognitive impairment]] and eventually dementia.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Park HL, O'Connell JE, Thomson RG | title = A systematic review of cognitive decline in the general elderly population | journal = International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry | volume = 18 | issue = 12 | pages = 1121–1134 | date = December 2003 | pmid = 14677145 | doi = 10.1002/gps.1023 | s2cid = 39164724 }}</ref> The association between hearing loss and cognitive decline has been studied in various research settings. Despite the variability in study design and protocols, the majority of these studies have found consistent association between age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline, cognitive impairment, and dementia.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal | vauthors = Loughrey DG, Kelly ME, Kelley GA, Brennan S, Lawlor BA | title = Association of Age-Related Hearing Loss With Cognitive Function, Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis | journal = JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery | volume = 144 | issue = 2 | pages = 115–126 | date = February 2018 | pmid = 29222544 | doi = 10.1001/jamaoto.2017.2513 | pmc = 5824986 }}</ref> The association between age-related hearing loss and Alzheimer's disease was found to be nonsignificant, and this finding supports the hypothesis that hearing loss is associated with dementia independent of Alzheimer pathology.<ref name=":0" /> There are several hypotheses about the underlying causal mechanism for age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline. One hypothesis is that this association can be explained by common etiology or shared neurobiological pathology with decline in other physiological system.<ref name=":12">{{cite journal | vauthors = Thomson RS, Auduong P, Miller AT, Gurgel RK | title = Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: A systematic review | journal = Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology | volume = 2 | issue = 2 | pages = 69–79 | date = April 2017 | pmid = 28894825 | doi = 10.1002/lio2.65 | pmc = 5527366 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Another possible cognitive mechanism emphasize on individual's [[cognitive load]]. As people developing hearing loss in the process of aging, the cognitive load demanded by auditory perception increases, which may lead to change in brain structure and eventually to dementia.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Pichora-Fuller MK, Mick P, Reed M | title = Hearing, Cognition, and Healthy Aging: Social and Public Health Implications of the Links between Age-Related Declines in Hearing and Cognition | journal = Seminars in Hearing | volume = 36 | issue = 3 | pages = 122–139 | date = August 2015 | pmid = 27516713 | doi = 10.1055/s-0035-1555116 | pmc = 4906310 | doi-access = free }}</ref> One other hypothesis suggests that the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline is mediated through various psychosocial factors, such as decrease in [[Social relation|social contact]] and increase in [[social isolation]].<ref name=":12" /> Findings on the association between hearing loss and dementia have significant public health implication, since about 9% of dementia cases are associated with hearing loss.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ford AH, Hankey GJ, Yeap BB, Golledge J, Flicker L, Almeida OP | title = Hearing loss and the risk of dementia in later life | language = en | journal = Maturitas | volume = 112 | pages = 1–11 | date = June 2018 | pmid = 29704910 | doi = 10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.03.004 | s2cid = 13998812 | url = https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(18)30118-X/abstract }}</ref>

==== Falls ====
People with hearing loss are at a higher risk of falling. There is also a potential [[dose–response relationship]] between hearing loss and falls—greater severity of hearing loss is associated with increased difficulties in postural control and increased prevalence of falls.<ref name=":32">{{cite journal | vauthors = Agmon M, Lavie L, Doumas M | title = The Association between Hearing Loss, Postural Control, and Mobility in Older Adults: A Systematic Review | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Audiology | volume = 28 | issue = 6 | pages = 575–588 | date = June 2017 | pmid = 28590900 | doi = 10.3766/jaaa.16044 | s2cid = 3744742 }}</ref> The underlying causal link between the association of hearing loss and falls is yet to be elucidated. There are several hypotheses that indicate that there may be a common process between decline in [[auditory system]] and increase in incident falls, driven by physiological, cognitive, and behavioral factors.<ref name=":32" /> This evidence suggests that treating hearing loss has potential to increase [[Quality of life (healthcare)|health-related quality of life]] in older adults.<ref name=":32" />[[Falls in older adults|Falls]] have important health implications, especially for an aging population where they can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of injuries caused by falls, since older individuals typically have greater bone fragility and poorer protective reflexes.<ref name=":22">{{cite journal | vauthors = Dhital A, Pey T, Stanford MR | title = Visual loss and falls: a review | journal = Eye | volume = 24 | issue = 9 | pages = 1437–1446 | date = September 2010 | pmid = 20448666 | doi = 10.1038/eye.2010.60 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Fall-related injury can also lead to burdens on the financial and health care systems.<ref name=":22" /> In literature, age-related hearing loss is found to be significantly associated with incident falls.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Jiam NT, Li C, Agrawal Y | title = Hearing loss and falls: A systematic review and meta-analysis | journal = The Laryngoscope | volume = 126 | issue = 11 | pages = 2587–2596 | date = November 2016 | pmid = 27010669 | doi = 10.1002/lary.25927 | s2cid = 28871762 }}</ref> 

==== Depression ====
Hearing loss can contribute to decrease in health-related quality of life, increase in social isolation and decline in social engagement, which are all risk factors for increased risk of developing depression symptoms.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Arlinger S | title = Negative consequences of uncorrected hearing loss – a review | journal = International Journal of Audiology | volume = 42 Suppl 2 | issue = sup2 | pages = 2S17–20 | date = July 2003 | pmid = 12918624 | doi = 10.3109/14992020309074639 | s2cid = 14433959 }}</ref> [[Major depressive disorder|Depression]] is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In older adults, the suicide rate is higher than it is for younger adults, and more suicide cases are attributable to depression.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Fiske A, Wetherell JL, Gatz M | title = Depression in older adults | journal = Annual Review of Clinical Psychology | volume = 5 | issue = 1 | pages = 363–389 | date = April 2009 | pmid = 19327033 | pmc = 2852580 | doi = 10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.032408.153621 }}</ref> Some chronic diseases are found to be significantly associated with risk of developing depression, such as [[Coronary Heart Disease|coronary heart disease]], [[Respiratory disease|pulmonary disease]], [[Visual impairment|vision loss]] and hearing loss.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Huang CQ, Dong BR, Lu ZC, Yue JR, Liu QX | title = Chronic diseases and risk for depression in old age: a meta-analysis of published literature | journal = Ageing Research Reviews | volume = 9 | issue = 2 | pages = 131–141 | date = April 2010 | pmid = 19524072 | doi = 10.1016/j.arr.2009.05.005 | series = Microbes and Ageing | s2cid = 13637437 }}</ref> 

==== Spoken language ability ====
[[Prelingual deafness]] is profound hearing loss that is sustained before the acquisition of language, which can occur due to a [[congenital]] condition or through hearing loss before birth or in early infancy. Prelingual deafness impairs an individual's ability to acquire a ''spoken'' language in children, but deaf children can acquire spoken language through support from cochlear implants (sometimes combined with hearing aids).<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Niparko JK, Tobey EA, Thal DJ, Eisenberg LS, Wang NY, Quittner AL, Fink NE|date=April 2010|title=Spoken language development in children following cochlear implantation|journal=JAMA|volume=303|issue=15|pages=1498–1506|doi=10.1001/jama.2010.451|pmc=3073449|pmid=20407059}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Kral A, O'Donoghue GM|date=October 2010|title=Profound deafness in childhood|journal=The New England Journal of Medicine|volume=363|issue=15|pages=1438–1450|doi=10.1056/NEJMra0911225|pmid=20925546|s2cid=13639137}}</ref> Non-signing (hearing) parents of deaf babies (90–95% of cases) usually go with oral approach without the support of sign language, as these families lack previous experience with [[sign language]] and cannot competently provide it to their children without learning it themselves. This may in some cases (late implantation or not sufficient benefit from cochlear implants) bring the risk of [[language deprivation]] for the deaf baby<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Hall WC|date=May 2017|title=What You Don't Know Can Hurt You: The Risk of Language Deprivation by Impairing Sign Language Development in Deaf Children|journal=Maternal and Child Health Journal|volume=21|issue=5|pages=961–965|doi=10.1007/s10995-017-2287-y|pmc=5392137|pmid=28185206}}</ref> because the deaf baby would not have a sign language if the child is unable to acquire spoken language successfully. The 5–10% of cases of deaf babies born into signing families have the potential of age-appropriate development of language due to early exposure to a ''sign language'' by sign-competent parents, thus they have the potential to meet language milestones, in sign language in lieu of spoken language.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Mayberry|first=Rachel|date=2007|title=When timing is everything: Age of first-language acquisition effects on second-language learning|journal=Applied Psycholinguistics|volume=28|issue=3|pages=537–549|doi=10.1017/s0142716407070294|doi-access=free}}</ref>

[[Post-lingual deafness]] is hearing loss that is sustained after the [[language acquisition|acquisition of language]], which can occur due to [[disease]], [[Physical trauma|trauma]], or as a side-effect of a medicine. Typically, hearing loss is gradual and often detected by family and friends of affected individuals long before the patients themselves will acknowledge the disability.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Meyer C, Scarinci N, Ryan B, Hickson L |date=December 2015 |title='This Is a Partnership Between All of Us': Audiologists' Perceptions of Family Member Involvement in Hearing Rehabilitation |journal=American Journal of Audiology |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=536–548 |doi=10.1044/2015_AJA-15-0026 |pmid=26649683 |s2cid=13091175}}</ref> Post-lingual deafness is far more common than pre-lingual deafness. Those who lose their hearing later in life, such as in late adolescence or adulthood, face their own challenges, living with the adaptations that allow them to live independently.{{cn|date=December 2024}}