Audiometric Hearing Loss and the Risk of Developing Dementia Over Eight Years in Older Black and White Adults: Findings from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study - Takeaways - MDSpire

Audiometric Hearing Loss and the Risk of Developing Dementia Over Eight Years in Older Black and White Adults: Findings from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study

  • By

  • Jennifer A. Deal

  • John J. Shin

  • Kening Jiang

  • A. Richey Sharrett

  • Josef Coresh

  • Rebecca F. Gottesman

  • David S. Knopman

  • Thomas Mosley

  • Keenan A. Walker

  • Frank R. Lin

  • Nicholas S. Reed

  • April 9, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    The study examined the relationship between audiometric hearing loss and dementia risk in older Black and White adults over eight years.

  • 2

    Moderate-to-severe hearing loss increased dementia risk similarly for both Black and White participants, with hazard ratios of 1.66 and 1.71, respectively.

  • 3

    Hearing loss was associated with a 2.3-fold increase in mortality among Black participants, highlighting a racial disparity in health outcomes.

  • 4

    The findings underscore the need for inclusive research on hearing treatment to inform policy and clinical practices for minoritized populations.

  • 5

    Addressing racial disparities in hearing healthcare is essential for advancing health equity among older adults in the U.S.

Original Source(s)

Audiometric Hearing Loss and the Risk of Developing Dementia Over Eight Years in Older Black and White Adults: Findings from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study

  • by Jennifer A. Deal, John J. Shin, Kening Jiang, A. Richey Sharrett, Josef Coresh, Rebecca F. Gottesman, David S. Knopman, Thomas Mosley, Keenan A. Walker, Frank R. Lin, Nicholas S. Reed

  • April 9, 2026

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