The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss diagnoses in people with and without Alzheimer’s disease – a nationwide cohort study
Abstract Background Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment, but little is known on whether the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects the diagnosis of SNHL. We studied the temporal changes in the incidence of SNHL diagnosis in relation to AD diagnosis. Met...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06317-6 |
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| author | Kaisa Hokkinen Aarno Dietz Pasi Lampela Sirpa Hartikainen Anna-Maija Tolppanen |
| author_facet | Kaisa Hokkinen Aarno Dietz Pasi Lampela Sirpa Hartikainen Anna-Maija Tolppanen |
| author_sort | Kaisa Hokkinen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment, but little is known on whether the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects the diagnosis of SNHL. We studied the temporal changes in the incidence of SNHL diagnosis in relation to AD diagnosis. Methods This study is part of Medicine use and Alzheimer’s disease cohort (MEDALZ) study. Our nationwide register-based study included 42,934 community-dwelling persons who received a clinically verified AD diagnosis in 2008–2011 in Finland and a 1:1 matched comparison cohort. We calculated the incidence of SNHL diagnoses per 100 person-years (PY) from ten years before to five years after the date of AD diagnosis (index date). Results Before the index date, the incidence of SNHL diagnoses was higher among persons with AD (1.51/100 PY) than in the comparison cohort (1.34/100 PY, adjusted hazard ratio, 95%Cl 1.10, 1.06–1.13). After AD diagnosis the incidence was lower among persons with AD (1.05 and 1.66/100 PY, adjusted hazard ratio, 95%Cl 0.60, 0.56–0.62). The incidence increased in a similar manner in both groups before the AD diagnosis. In the AD group the incidence peaked at the index date, but steeply declined shortly after, while in the comparison cohort, it continued its previous ascending course. Conclusions The incidence of SNHL diagnosis declines after AD diagnosis, suggesting that AD may alter diagnostic trajectories and access to audiological care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5a762a58740a42a39bd0d5b3fc14e17d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-5a762a58740a42a39bd0d5b3fc14e17d2025-08-20T03:46:13ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-08-012511910.1186/s12877-025-06317-6The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss diagnoses in people with and without Alzheimer’s disease – a nationwide cohort studyKaisa Hokkinen0Aarno Dietz1Pasi Lampela2Sirpa Hartikainen3Anna-Maija Tolppanen4Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, University of Eastern FinlandDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Kuopio University HospitalKuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, University of Eastern FinlandKuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, University of Eastern FinlandKuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, University of Eastern FinlandAbstract Background Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment, but little is known on whether the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects the diagnosis of SNHL. We studied the temporal changes in the incidence of SNHL diagnosis in relation to AD diagnosis. Methods This study is part of Medicine use and Alzheimer’s disease cohort (MEDALZ) study. Our nationwide register-based study included 42,934 community-dwelling persons who received a clinically verified AD diagnosis in 2008–2011 in Finland and a 1:1 matched comparison cohort. We calculated the incidence of SNHL diagnoses per 100 person-years (PY) from ten years before to five years after the date of AD diagnosis (index date). Results Before the index date, the incidence of SNHL diagnoses was higher among persons with AD (1.51/100 PY) than in the comparison cohort (1.34/100 PY, adjusted hazard ratio, 95%Cl 1.10, 1.06–1.13). After AD diagnosis the incidence was lower among persons with AD (1.05 and 1.66/100 PY, adjusted hazard ratio, 95%Cl 0.60, 0.56–0.62). The incidence increased in a similar manner in both groups before the AD diagnosis. In the AD group the incidence peaked at the index date, but steeply declined shortly after, while in the comparison cohort, it continued its previous ascending course. Conclusions The incidence of SNHL diagnosis declines after AD diagnosis, suggesting that AD may alter diagnostic trajectories and access to audiological care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06317-6Cognitive impairmentHearing lossHearing rehabilitation |
| spellingShingle | Kaisa Hokkinen Aarno Dietz Pasi Lampela Sirpa Hartikainen Anna-Maija Tolppanen The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss diagnoses in people with and without Alzheimer’s disease – a nationwide cohort study BMC Geriatrics Cognitive impairment Hearing loss Hearing rehabilitation |
| title | The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss diagnoses in people with and without Alzheimer’s disease – a nationwide cohort study |
| title_full | The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss diagnoses in people with and without Alzheimer’s disease – a nationwide cohort study |
| title_fullStr | The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss diagnoses in people with and without Alzheimer’s disease – a nationwide cohort study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss diagnoses in people with and without Alzheimer’s disease – a nationwide cohort study |
| title_short | The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss diagnoses in people with and without Alzheimer’s disease – a nationwide cohort study |
| title_sort | incidence of sensorineural hearing loss diagnoses in people with and without alzheimer s disease a nationwide cohort study |
| topic | Cognitive impairment Hearing loss Hearing rehabilitation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06317-6 |
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