(892) The Impact of Hearing Rehabilitation on Dementia Outcomes Amongst Patients with Hearing Loss

Introduction: There is an association between hearing loss and dementia. Though some studies have shown that hearing aids and cochlear implants may be able to modulate this relationship, existing studies are limited in their study size and diversity and do not stratify results by hearing loss type (i.e., conductive or sensorineural).

Methods: Using TriNetX, hearing loss patients were stratified into those who use hearing aids or cochlear implants (hearing rehabilitated) and those who do not (non-hearing rehabilitated). Hearing rehabilitated and non-rehabilitated patients were propensity score matched by age, sex, race, and known comorbidities for dementia. Dementia diagnoses were evaluated 5 years post-index date and more than 5 years post-index date. Patients were also sub-stratified and matched by the type of hearing loss (i.e., conductive or sensorineural), after which dementia outcomes were re-evaluated.

Results: Hearing rehabilitated patients demonstrated lower risks of dementia than hearing non-rehabilitated patients 5 years (Risk Difference (RD) = -0.22%, 95% CI = -0.34% – -0.09%) and more than 5 years post-index date (RD = -0.30%, 95% CI = -0.43% – -0.16%. Amongst those with sensorineural hearing loss, hearing rehabilitated patients had a reduced risk of dementia 5 years (RD = -0.33%, 95% CI = -0.52% – -0.14%) and more than 5 years post-index date (RD = -0.45%, 95% CI = -0.66% – -0.24%). There was no difference in dementia outcomes amongst hearing rehabilitated and non-rehabilitated patients with conductive hearing loss.

Conclusions: Patients with sensorineural hearing loss who use hearing aids or cochlear implants show a reduced risk of dementia. There is no difference in the risk of dementia amongst hearing rehabilitated patients with conductive hearing loss.