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Voice disorders and hearing loss linked to dementia risk, study finds
Fox News • • health
Key Points:
- New research from Drexel University College of Medicine indicates that voice disorders, such as changes in vocal pitch, volume, or clarity, may signal a higher risk of developing dementia or cognitive impairment.
- The study of over 833,000 participants aged 50 and older found that those with a voice disorder but no hearing loss had a 58% increased risk of dementia, while those with both voice disorders and hearing loss had a 104% increased risk.
- Participants with only hearing loss had a 27% increased risk, whereas those with any voice disorder had a 29% increased risk of cognitive issues, highlighting a stronger link between voice disorders and dementia than hearing loss alone.
- Researchers suggest that voice disorders and hearing loss may reduce social engagement, which is important for brain health, potentially contributing to cognitive decline.
- While voice disorders may be an early indicator of dementia risk, they do not guarantee future cognitive impairment, and treatment for vocal issues could still benefit brain health.
