Hearing loss in the young-old is associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia

Hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia, but dementia subtypes underlying this association and effect modifiers are unknown. Using data collected from 2000 Framingham Heart Study participants we found that hearing loss increases risk for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia in participants aged 60–70 years (“young-old”) at time of hearing assessment (Alzheimer's disease: HR 1.46[CI 1.07–2.0] p = 0.017; vascular dementia: HR 2.08[CI 1.22–3.56] p = 0.007). Longer duration of hearing loss determines increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, and screening and intervention for hearing loss from mid-life may help reduce dementia.