Prospective longitudinal observational study at an academic medical centre of lifestyle and cognition in older adults with a cochlear implant or hearing aid: study protocol

Dementia is a major global health problem with increasing prevalence. Hearing loss has been identified as the most modifiable risk factor for dementia. The Age-Related Cognition and Hearing (ARCH) study is a 3-year prospective, controlled, observational comparative cohort study comparing cochlear implants (Implants) and hearing aids (HAs) for reducing cognitive decline associated with age-related hearing loss...

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

This is a study protocol only — no results are available yet; no actionable change to clinical practice at this time.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

If successful, this longitudinal study could provide much-needed prospective evidence on whether hearing interventions slow cognitive decline in older adults.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Prospective longitudinal observational design at a single academic medical centre.
02Compares outcomes across cochlear implant and hearing aid users in older adults.
03Primary focus is the relationship between lifestyle factors, cognition, and hearing intervention.
04This is a protocol paper — no outcome data are yet reported.
05Findings could inform future clinical guidelines on hearing intervention and dementia prevention.

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42192623
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-119219.
Journal: BMJ Open
Publication type: study_protocol
Evidence level: 2b
Population: Older adults with a cochlear implant or hearing aid at an academic medical centre
Intervention: Cochlear implant or hearing aid use
Comparator: Hearing aid users vs. cochlear implant users (observational comparison)

Primary outcomes

Cognitive function over time; Lifestyle factors associated with cognition; Hearing intervention outcomes

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