Hearing loss, loneliness may contribute to cognitive decline in older adults

Hearing loss, loneliness may contribute to cognitive decline in older adults 
McKnights Senior Living; by John Roszkowski; 7/28/25 
Hearing loss and loneliness can contribute to dementia in older adults, and simple interventions to address hearing loss, such as hearing aids, may reduce cognitive decline in some cases, new research finds. ... Results of the study showed that higher levels and worsening self-reported hearing impairment were associated with steeper decline in episodic memory issues and executive functioning (verbal fluency). Further, the researchers found that individuals who were not socially isolated but still felt lonely saw their cognitive decline accelerate if they were deaf. 
Editor's Note: Do you assess and train your interdisciplinary teams and volunteers on their communication skills with persons who have hearing loss? Do they simply speak louder at the patient? Ignore them and talk to the caregiver? Or do they all know--consistently across all direct care roles--how to sensitively, creatively communicate with the person? Note the differences between "talking to" and "communicating with." Click here for excellent "Do's and "Don'ts" to teach, Communicating with seniors who are deaf or hard of hearing, by SeniorLiving.Org.