Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis from a global perspective

Readman, Megan Rose ORCID: 0000-0002-5259-7887, Littlejohn, Jenna, Dodd, Imogen, Rhodes, Sarah, Wareing, Lettie, Polden, Megan ORCID: 0000-0002-1813-0765, Plack, Christopher J and Giebel, Clarissa ORCID: 0000-0002-0746-0566 (2025) Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis from a global perspective AGING & MENTAL HEALTH, 29 (10). pp. 1831-1844. ISSN 1360-7863, 1364-6915

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Abstract

Objectives: Hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia with estimated hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.28–2.39. However, whether intercontinental variability exists in this relationship remains unexplored. Method: MEDLINE, PsychInfo, Academic Search Ultimate, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched, from inception to 2024, for cohort studies of dementia-free individuals with baseline hearing assessments ≥2-year follow-up, and incident dementia outcomes. Random-effect and multilevel models with subgroup difference tests were conducted. Results: Forty-nine studies analysed cohorts from North America (n = 20), Europe (n = 20), Asia (n = 7), and Oceania (n = 2). Binary hearing loss was associated with increased dementia risk (HR = 1.32 [95% CI: 1.23–1.41]) with HRs being largest for Oceania and smallest for Asia (p <0.001). In a sensitivity analysis excluding Oceania, HRs did not differ significantly by continent. Imprecise estimates create uncertainty around whether mild (HR = 1.35 [95% CI: 0.86–2.11]), moderate (HR = 1.39 [95% CI: 0.57–3.35]) or severe (HR = 1.66 [95% CI: 0.59–4.64]) hearing loss are associated with increased dementia risk, with little evidence that HRs by severity differ by continent (p = 0.059). Conclusion: Findings indicate that the association between hearing loss and dementia is consistent globally, though HRs may vary slightly by continent. Registration: This review was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024545209) and the OSF (https://osf.io/kew29/).

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Dementia, hearing loss, risk factors, brain health
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	04 Jun 2025 14:30
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 20:20
DOI:	10.1080/13607863.2025.2515180
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3193075
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