Hearing loss not only affects the peripheral auditory system but also leads to changes in central auditory pathways and neurocognitive skills. The use of hearing aids has shown potential benefits in mitigating the adverse effects of hearing loss....
Hearing aid use appears to have a positive effect on neurocognitive function and central auditory processing, but audiologists should await individual study quality appraisals before broadly changing counselling practice; the systematic review methodology and strength of included studies would need review.
If confirmed, this evidence base would strengthen the clinical rationale for early hearing aid fitting as a potential tool to support cognitive health in older adults.
- 01Systematic review in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics examining hearing aids and brain/cognitive outcomes.
- 02Outcomes include neurocognitive functions (e.g., memory, attention) and central auditory processing.
- 03Target population is individuals with hearing loss, likely skewed toward older adults.
- 04Findings suggest hearing aid use may provide cognitive and auditory processing benefits.
- 05Evidence synthesis across multiple studies lends more weight than a single trial.
Hearing aid use improves neurocognitive functions in individuals with hearing loss.
studypartially supportedHearing aid use improves central auditory processing in individuals with hearing loss.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42447643
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.archger.2026.106357.
- Journal
- Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
- Publication type
- systematic_review
- Evidence level
- 1a
- Population
- Individuals with hearing loss (likely predominantly older adults)
- Intervention
- Hearing aid use
Primary outcomes
Neurocognitive functions (e.g., memory, attention, executive function); Central auditory processing