Cochlear implants and hearing aids in older adults with hearing loss to understand links to memory and thinking
Official title: The Effectiveness of Cochlear Implants in Real-World Settings for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Older Adults with Age-Related Hearing Loss
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11378429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study follows adults 65+ with age-related hearing loss to see how real-world use of cochlear implants or hearing aids relates to thinking skills and progression toward dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $719,619 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG085277-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 65 years and older with age-related hearing loss, including cochlear implant users and hearing aid users or candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without age-related hearing loss or those outside the 65+ age range may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
Older adults with age-related hearing loss may be at higher risk for cognitive decline and dementia. The study will observe daily-life performance of 65+ participants who use cochlear implants or hearing aids to see how hearing in everyday settings relates to cognition over time. Researchers will collect real-world data from participants in their own environments to identify patterns that predict worsening memory or transition to dementia. The work will involve tracking daily activities and cognitive measures to understand potential links between hearing intervention and cognitive outcomes. Findings could inform personalized management of hearing loss to support cognitive health in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could help clinicians and patients choose effective hearing interventions to support cognitive health and delay dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked hearing loss with cognitive decline, but real-world data on cochlear implants and hearing aids in this context is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dunn, Camille C — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Dunn, Camille C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cochlear Implants for Hearing Loss and Memory in Older Adults
This project looks at how cochlear implants and hearing aids help older adults with age-related hearing loss and memory concerns in their daily lives.
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Investigating cochlear implants' effects on cognitive health in older adults with hearing loss
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Investigating how chronic neurotrauma affects hearing loss and its links to dementia
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Insomnia, Depression, and Sleep Medications in Mild Cognitive Impairment Leading to Dementia
This project looks at how sleep problems and depression, along with the medicines used to treat them, may affect the progression from mild cognitive issues to dementia in older adults.
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Stretching their Reach: Robotic Support for Older Adults with Memory Challenges
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Age-related Dementia and Brain Pathology in the Oldest-Old: A Long-Term Lifecourse Study
A large, long-running study is following people aged 90 and up to understand how Alzheimer’s disease and related brain changes develop over many years.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.