Effects of hearing intervention on blood-based biomarkers of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration: a secondary analysis of the ACHIEVE randomised controlled trial

Research suggests that hearing loss in older adults is associated with elevated neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, both of which are risk factors for dementia. In a secondary analysis of the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) randomised controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03243422), we examined if hearing intervention slowed 3-year change in blood-based biomarkers of...

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Results are secondary and exploratory — audiologists should not change practice based on these biomarker findings alone, but the study adds biological plausibility to hearing intervention as a potential tool for brain health preservation.

If hearing intervention is shown to reduce blood markers of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration (brain breakdown), it would provide biological evidence supporting hearing aids as a strategy to slow cognitive decline in older adults.

1. 01Secondary analysis of the ACHIEVE RCT — a large, well-designed trial in older adults with hearing loss.
2. 02Examines blood biomarkers of neuroinflammation (brain inflammation) and neurodegeneration (brain cell loss) as outcome measures.
3. 03Published in EClinicalMedicine (Lancet family journal), indicating peer-reviewed credibility.
4. 04Findings are hypothesis-generating; biomarker outcomes were not the primary endpoint of ACHIEVE.
5. 05Supports the emerging link between untreated hearing loss and dementia risk.

PMID

42733779

DOI

10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.104164.

Journal

EClinicalMedicine

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

1b

Population

Older adults with hearing loss enrolled in the ACHIEVE randomised controlled trial

Intervention

Hearing intervention (hearing aids and audiological support)

Comparator

Control/delayed intervention group from ACHIEVE RCT