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Subtle change in how you speak could be early sign of dementia risk, new research suggests
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- A study of over 833,000 adults aged 50+ found that voice disorders are linked to a higher risk of developing dementia or cognitive impairment, especially when combined with hearing loss.
- Participants with voice disorders but no hearing loss had a 58% increased risk, while those with both voice disorders and hearing loss had a 104% increased risk of future cognitive issues.
- Voice disorders alone raised dementia risk by 29%, compared to a 27% increased risk for those with only hearing loss.
- Researchers suggest that voice disorders and hearing loss may reduce social engagement, which is important for brain health and could contribute to cognitive decline.
- While the study shows a strong correlation, having a voice disorder does not guarantee future dementia, and vocal issues may not always signal early brain function decline.
