Self‐reported hearing loss is associated with faster cognitive and functional decline but not diagnostic conversion in the ADNI cohort

INTRODUCTION Hearing loss is identified as one of the largest modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia. Studies evaluating this relationship have yielded mixed results. METHODS We investigated the longitudinal relationship between self‐reported hearing loss and cognitive/functional performance in 695 cognitively normal (CN) and 941 participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) enrolled in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. RESULTS Within CN participants with hearing loss, there was a significantly greater rate of cognitive decline per modified preclinical Alzheimer's cognitive composite. Within both CN and MCI participants with hearing loss, there was a significantly greater rate of functional decline per the functional activities questionnaire (FAQ). In CN and MCI participants, hearing loss did not significantly contribute to the risk of progression to a more impaired diagnosis. DISCUSSION These results confirm previous studies demonstrating a significant longitudinal association between self‐reported hearing loss and cognition/function but do not demonstrate an increased risk of conversion to a more impaired diagnosis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION NCT00106899 (ADNI: Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, clinicaltrials.gov), NCT01078636 (ADNI‐GO: Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Grand Opportunity, clinicaltrials.gov), NCT01231971 (ADNI2: Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative 2, clinicaltrials.gov), NCT02854033 (ADNI3: Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative 3, clinicaltrials.gov). Highlights Hearing loss is a potential modifiable risk factor for dementia. We assessed the effect of self‐reported hearing loss on cognition and function in the ADNI cohort. Hearing loss contributes to significantly faster cognitive and functional decline. Hearing loss was not associated with conversion to a more impaired diagnosis.