Source: Fox News
Summary
A new study from Columbia University found that certain ear conditions, such as cholesteatoma and eardrum perforation, may be associated with a higher risk of dementia. The research analyzed data from over 300,000 U.S. adults and found that these conditions were linked to 1.77 and 2.07 times the odds of dementia, respectively. The study suggests that treating these conditions through surgery may reduce the risk of dementia. However, the study’s observational design means that it cannot prove causation.
Our Reading
The advice sounds familiar.
The link between hearing loss and dementia has been explored before. This new study adds to existing evidence that sensory deprivation may impact cognition. The finding that treatable ear conditions may reduce dementia risk is a notable one. The study’s results are observational, but they coincide with previous evidence on the importance of social engagement in reducing dementia risk. It’s almost as if the brain is a social muscle that needs to be exercised.
The study’s authors note that cognition is impacted by sensory deprivation, but some causes may be treatable.
Author: Evan Null
