A Randomized Feasibility Pilot Trial of Hearing Treatment for Reducing Cognitive Decline: Results from the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders Pilot Study

Jennifer A. Deal, Marilyn S. Albert, Michelle Arnold, Shrikant I. Bangdiwala, Theresa Chisolm, Sonia Davis, Ann Eddins, Nancy W. Glynn, Adele M. Goman, Melissa Minotti, Thomas Mosley, George W. Rebok, Nicholas Reed, Elizabeth Rodgers, Victoria Sanchez, A. Richey Sharrett, Josef Coresh, Frank R. Lin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Hearing loss (HL) is prevalent and independently related to cognitive decline and dementia. There has never been a randomized trial to test if HL treatment could reduce cognitive decline in older adults.

Methods: A 40-person (aged 70–84 years) pilot study in Washington County, MD, was conducted. Participants were randomized 1:1 to a best practices hearing or successful aging intervention and followed for 6 months. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02412254.

Results: The Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders Pilot (ACHIEVE-P) Study demonstrated feasibility in recruitment, retention, and implementation of interventions with no treatment-related adverse events. A clear efficacy signal of the hearing intervention was observed in perceived hearing handicap (mean of 0.11 to −1.29 standard deviation [SD] units; lower scores better) and memory (mean of −0.10 SD to 0.38 SD).

Discussion: ACHIEVE-P sets the stage for the full-scale ACHIEVE trial (N = 850, recruitment beginning November 2017), the first randomized trial to determine efficacy of a best practices hearing (vs. successful aging) intervention on reducing cognitive decline in older adults with HL.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalAlzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions
Volume3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017

Keywords

  • Clinical trials
  • Cognition
  • Dementia
  • Epidemiology
  • Hearing
  • Longitudinal study
  • Memory
  • Presbycusis

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