Summary: A new study has identified a potential link between hearing loss and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Researchers analyzed data from more than 159,000 people and found that every 10 decibel increase in hearing loss corresponded to a 57% higher risk of Parkinson’s disease. Although the results demonstrate a strong association, the causal link between hearing loss and Parkinson’s disease remains unclear.
The study suggests that addressing hearing function during diagnosis and follow-up care could improve patient outcomes. This knowledge opens the way for further research into prevention strategies and improved care for Parkinson’s disease. Hearing loss, often considered an isolated problem, is increasingly recognized as being closely linked to broader neurological health.
Key facts:
- Increased risk: A 57% higher risk of Parkinson’s is linked to every 10 decibel increase in hearing loss.
- Early indicator: Hearing loss could serve as a warning sign of Parkinson’s disease, although the relationship remains correlative.
- Holistic care: Integrating hearing assessments into Parkinson’s disease care could improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Source: Lancaster University
There may be a link between hearing loss and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a study led by Lancaster University.
This is one of the first studies to examine whether sensory impairments, such as hearing loss, could increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease or serve as a warning sign.
Parkinson’s UK reports that around 153,000 people in the UK are currently living with Parkinson’s disease, which is the fastest growing neurological disease in the world. It is estimated that 1 in 37 people in the UK will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in their lifetime.
The study, “Speech-in-noise hearing loss is associated with increased risk of Parkinson’s disease: a UK Biobank analysis,” is published in Parkinsonism and associated disorders.
The researchers analyzed data from the UK Biobank, a biomedical database containing data from half a million participants across the UK. They looked at data from 159,395 people who had previously undergone a hearing test measuring their ability to detect speech in noisy environments and who had no history of Parkinson’s disease at the time of the assessment.
Over an average follow-up period of 14.24 years, 810 participants were subsequently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The analysis found a 57% increase in risk of Parkinson’s disease for every 10 decibel increase in baseline hearing loss.
Dr Megan Readman, a postdoctoral researcher at the ESRC in the Department of Psychology at Lancaster University, led the study.
She said: “These results are incredibly important; First, this is one of the first studies to examine how hearing loss may increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease or be a warning sign of Parkinson’s disease.
“Second, as our results suggest, hearing loss is closely linked to Parkinson’s disease, so it may be beneficial for auditory functioning and management of hearing loss to be considered at the time of diagnosis and care follow-up.”
However, Dr. Readman emphasized that it is unclear whether the link between Parkinson’s disease and hearing loss is causal or whether there is simply a correlation.
“We don’t know if hearing loss can cause Parkinson’s disease or if there is a common underlying cause for both conditions. »
Other authors included Yang Wang and Fang Wan, Sally Linkenauger, Trevor Crawford and Christopher Plack as well as Ian Fairman, who has Parkinson’s disease and hearing loss.
Professor Plack said: “It is increasingly clear that hearing loss is not an isolated condition but is associated with several other conditions. Understanding these connections is essential if we are to provide effective patient care, thereby improving the independence and quality of life of those affected.
By identifying factors that could contribute to its appearance, such as hearing loss, researchers hope to pave the way for new prevention and care strategies.
Dr Readman said: “Our findings suggest that hearing loss is closely linked to Parkinson’s disease and highlight the potential benefits of considering hearing function in the diagnosis and follow-up care of Parkinson’s disease. »
Professor Trevor Crawford said: “This important study is the latest discovery in a decade-long series of research into neurodegenerative disorders, carried out by our team at Lancaster University in collaboration with colleagues across the UK . »
About the latest research on Parkinson’s disease and hearing loss
Author: Gillian Whitworth
Source: Lancaster University
Contact: Gillian Whitworth – Lancaster University
Picture: Image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Free access.
“Speech hearing loss in noise is associated with increased risk of Parkinson’s disease: an analysis from a UK biobank” by Megan Readman et al. Parkinsonism and associated disorders
Abstract
Speech-in-noise hearing loss is associated with increased risk of Parkinson’s disease: analysis from a UK biobank
Background
Hearing loss is implicated as a risk factor for the incidence of Parkinson’s disease, with evidence suggesting that clinically diagnosed hearing loss increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease by 1.5 to 1.6 times over a followed by 2 to 5 years.
However, the evidence is not unanimous, with other studies observing that self-reported hearing abilities do not significantly influence the incidence of Parkinson’s disease.
Thus, additional cohort analyzes relying on alternative hearing measures are needed to further corroborate the link between Parkinson’s disease and hearing loss.
Goals
To determine whether hearing loss, estimated using a speech-in-noise test (the Digit Triplet Test, DTT), is a risk factor for the incidence of Parkinson’s disease.
Methods
This was a pre-registered prospective cohort study using data from the UK Biobank. Data from 159,395 people who underwent DTT testing and did not have Parkinson’s disease at the time of assessment were analyzed. A Cox proportional hazard model, taking into account age, sex and education level, was performed.
Results
During a median follow-up of 14.24 years, 810 cases of probable Parkinson’s disease were observed. The risk of incident Parkinson’s disease increased with initial hearing loss (hazard ratio: 1.57 (95% CI: 1.018, 2.435; P. = 0.041)), indicating a 57% increase in risk for each 10 dB increase in speech reception threshold (SRT).
However, when hearing loss was classified according to the UK Biobank SRT standards, neither ‘insufficient’ nor ‘poor’ hearing significantly influenced Parkinson’s risk compared to ‘normal’ hearing.
Conclusions
The concordance of these findings with previous research further supports the existence of a relationship between hearing loss and the incidence of Parkinson’s disease.
