Subjective Cognitive Complaints and Hearing Loss in Older Adults-A Cross-Sectional Study on the Possible Association

An association between hearing loss and cognitive decline has been found in many epidemiological and clinical studies but few studies have investigated if objectively measured hearing loss is associated with subjective cognitive complaints. Both factors increase with age and are linked to future cognitive decline/dementia....

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

This cross-sectional design cannot establish causation; no practice change is warranted, but findings support continued screening for cognitive complaints in patients with measured hearing loss.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Understanding whether hearing loss predicts subjective cognitive complaints could strengthen the case for early audiological intervention as part of broader cognitive health management in older adults.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Cross-sectional design assessed objectively measured hearing loss alongside self-reported cognitive complaints in older adults.
02Published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology (DOI: 10.1111/sjop.70115).
03Cross-sectional methodology limits causal inference between hearing loss and cognitive complaints.
04Findings contribute to the growing literature linking peripheral hearing loss to cognitive health outcomes.
05Results may inform multidisciplinary care pathways connecting audiology and cognitive health services.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

There is a possible association between objectively measured hearing loss and subjective cognitive complaints in older adults.

studypartially supported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42126868
DOI: 10.1111/sjop.70115.
Journal: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 3
Population: Older adults with objectively measured hearing loss
Intervention: Objectively measured hearing loss (audiometric assessment)
Comparator: Older adults without hearing loss or with lesser degrees of hearing loss

Primary outcomes

Subjective cognitive complaints (self-reported memory and cognitive difficulties)

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