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Peer-reviewedCC BYAudiology research

The Hearing-Cognition Relationship Across the Lifespan: Mechanisms, Interventions and Outcomes.

  • Christos Tsilivigkos1
  • Vasileios Papanikos2
  • Polyniki Kastanioudaki3
  • Eleni Bekou4
  • Theodora Skoura5
  • Irida Pano6
  • Francesk Mulita7
  • Vasileios Leivaditis8
8 affiliations
  1. 1First Department of Otolaryngology, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 15772 Athens, Greece.
  2. 2ENT/Head and Neck Surgery, St George's Hospital, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London SW17 0QT, UK.
  3. 3Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45333 Ioannina, Greece.
  4. 4Medical Physics Laboratory, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece.
  5. 5Medical School, Aretaeion Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), 11528 Athens, Greece.
  6. 6Department of Clinical Subject, University of Medicine Tirana, 1005 Tirana, Albania.
  7. 7General University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
  8. 8Westpfalz Klinikum, 67655 Kaiserslautern, Germany.
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Abstract

Introduction: Hearing loss and cognitive impairment are among the most common chronic conditions of aging, and a growing body of evidence links the two. The 2020 and 2024 Lancet Commissions identified midlife hearing loss as one of the largest potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia, raising the possibility that auditory rehabilitation could help preserve cognition. Methods: This narrative review provides a lifespan perspective by summarizing current evidence on the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline, the cognitive domains most affected, and the mechanisms proposed to explain the association, including the cognitive load, common cause, cascade, and overdiagnosis hypotheses, together with their neurobiological correlates. Results: We then examine the effect of auditory interventions on cognition in adults, considering hearing aids and cochlear implants separately, and discuss landmark trials such as ACHIEVE, which suggest that cognitive benefits may be greatest in older adults at increased risk of decline. Finally, we address the distinct situation of children, in whom early auditory deprivation may shape the development of working memory and executive function and in whom the timely fitting of hearing devices is critical. Conclusions: Overall, the evidence supports hearing loss as a modifiable contributor to cognitive decline and highlights early detection and rehabilitation as promising, though not universally effective, strategies for protecting cognitive health.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{tsilivigkos2026hearingcognition,
  title = {{The Hearing-Cognition Relationship Across the Lifespan: Mechanisms, Interventions and Outcomes.}},
  author = {Christos Tsilivigkos and Vasileios Papanikos and Polyniki Kastanioudaki and Eleni Bekou and Theodora Skoura and Irida Pano and Francesk Mulita and Vasileios Leivaditis},
  journal = {Audiology research},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.3390/audiolres16050141},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42930339},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The Hearing-Cognition Relationship Across the Lifespan: Mechanisms, Interventions and Outcomes.
AU  - Christos Tsilivigkos
AU  - Vasileios Papanikos
AU  - Polyniki Kastanioudaki
AU  - Eleni Bekou
AU  - Theodora Skoura
AU  - Irida Pano
AU  - Francesk Mulita
AU  - Vasileios Leivaditis
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/22
JO  - Audiology research
DO  - 10.3390/audiolres16050141
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42930339
AB  - Introduction: Hearing loss and cognitive impairment are among the most common chronic conditions of aging, and a growing body of evidence links the two. The 2020 and 2024 Lancet Commissions identified midlife hearing loss as one of the largest potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia, raising the possibility that auditory rehabilitation could help preserve cognition. Methods: This narrative review provides a lifespan perspective by summarizing current evidence on the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline, the cognitive domains most affected, and the mechanisms proposed to explain the association, including the cognitive load, common cause, cascade, and overdiagnosis hypotheses, together with their neurobiological correlates. Results: We then examine the effect of auditory interventions on cognition in adults, considering hearing aids and cochlear implants separately, and discuss landmark trials such as ACHIEVE, which suggest that cognitive benefits may be greatest in older adults at increased risk of decline. Finally, we address the distinct situation of children, in whom early auditory deprivation may shape the development of working memory and executive function and in whom the timely fitting of hearing devices is critical. Conclusions: Overall, the evidence supports hearing loss as a modifiable contributor to cognitive decline and highlights early detection and rehabilitation as promising, though not universally effective, strategies for protecting cognitive health.
SN  - 2039-4330
SN  - 2039-4349
ER  -