The ENHANCE Study: Evaluation of Hearing Aids and Cognitive Effects

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of wearing hearing aids on cognitive function in older adults with hearing loss. 

Hearing loss has been shown recently to be associated independently with the rate of cognitive decline for older adults, with people with hearing loss showing an accelerated rate of cognitive decline compared with people who had normal hearing. 

Given the strong relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline, it is important to determine whether restoring hearing affects the predicted rate of cognitive decline. The purpose of this project is to determine whether wearing hearing aids can have a protective, or slowing, effect for cognitive decline

We are looking for adult participants who match the following criteria:
• Aged ≥ 60 years
• No previous dementia diagnosis
• No visual/language problems that could impede completion of assessments (able to read questionnaires and see laptop screen well)
• Have a diagnosed hearing loss
• Do not intend to use hearing aids in the next 18 months
• Live in Victoria

Participants are assessed every 18 months for up to 6 years (~1.5-2.0hrs sessions), which includes:
• Hearing assessment
• Cognitive assessment
• Lifestyle-based Questionnaires