Treatment of Hearing Loss in Cognitive impairment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does early treatment of hearing loss in people with mild dementia or cognitive impairment delay cognitive decline: A pilot Study
IRAS ID
308098
Contact name
Jaydip Ray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
STH21896, STH21896
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Background
Dementia is one of the greatest challenges for health with a significant global cost. Hearing loss has been identified as a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. It is also associated with increased hospital admission, morbidity and mortality. It poses a significant burden to health and to society. A recent study found 65% of patients in a memory clinic had disabling hearing loss but only 32% had a hearing aids. It is possible that by not recognising and inadequately treating hearing loss in older people, current services are contributing to the increasing burden of dementia.Aims
This study aims to screen patients for hearing loss (>30dB) in memory clinic and enact early intervention of hearing aids to assess whether there is a reduction in the rate of cognitive decline.Methods
This will be a parallel groups intervention study. Patients referred to the memory clinic with mild cognitive impairment and hearing loss are target population. If they are found to have mild cognitive impairment on standard-of-care memory screening, they will be offered hearing screening using for using a Hearcheck Screener Device (Siemens). If they decline, they will be offered to remain in the study as a control group. If they are found to have hearing loss, they will be referred for formal audiological testing and offered a hearing aid as standard of care. If they decline a hearing aid they will be offered to remain in the study as the control group as well.
All participants will be followed up in 1 year with a repeat cognitive screening test to assess if there is any effect on cognitive function.REC name
Wales REC 2
REC reference
22/WA/0124
Date of REC Opinion
12 May 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion