At RestorEar, we have long said that healthy hearing is about more than just sound; hearing health is crucial at all points of life. This becomes even more apparent as we age. 

Studies from the last few years have shown the surprising link between hearing loss and the onset of cognitive decline, including increased prevalence of Alzheimer’s and dementia. They even revealed how using a hearing aid may help. Now, a new study published in JAMA Neurology reveals that hearing loss may also be linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The study, published earlier this week, followed over 3 million US veterans up to 10 years. It looked at data from audiograms at baseline as well as follow up, in addition to whether or not they were diagnosed with PD in that time frame. 

The results of the study were shocking: the number of additional PD diagnoses were 6.1, 15.8, 16.2, and 12.1 among veterans with mild, moderate, moderate to severe, and severe to profound hearing loss compared to those without hearing loss. Hearing loss and PD had a dose-dependent relationship, wherein more severe hearing loss was associated with PD diagnosis in the population. These results took into consideration death of the participant, age, head trauma, frailty, and established prodromal disorders.

While these results are concerning, the study shed some hope on the situation: new diagnoses of PD decrease by 21.6 cases at 10 years with prompt hearing aid dispensation.

These data are important for various reasons. The apparent increased risk of PD with hearing loss is another crucial call for individuals and society to work to protect hearing health. Further, for individuals experiencing hearing loss, these data bring to light another reason for seeking hearing healthcare promptly.