Ear health and memory: can hearing aids help prevent cognitive decline in adults at risk for Alzheimer's
Official title: Early Age-Related Hearing Loss Investigation (EARHLI): A Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess Mechanisms Linking Early Age-Related Hearing Loss and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11395476 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A focused study will test whether using hearing aids can help 55-75 year olds with early hearing loss keep their thinking sharper and reduce risk for Alzheimer’s-related changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,049,497 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG075083-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395476 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 55-75 with early-stage age-related hearing loss and amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without significant hearing loss or without cognitive impairment may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This project is a randomized trial that enrolls adults aged 55-75 with early-age related hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment to receive a hearing-aid based intervention. Participants will be assigned to receive hearing aids and related support versus usual care, with follow-up to measure changes in cognitive function and brain connectivity. The study aims to understand how improving hearing may influence brain networks and cognitive trajectories linked to AD/ADRD. If the pilot shows promise, it could inform how treatable hearing loss might support cognitive health in at-risk individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could help preserve thinking skills and potentially reduce dementia risk for people with early hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests hearing improvement can boost social engagement and brain connectivity, with mixed results on cognitive outcomes; this trial seeks to provide clearer evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Golub, Justin Scott — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Golub, Justin Scott
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using hearing aids to help protect memory and thinking in people with early hearing loss
This trial will test whether providing hearing-aid based support to people aged 55–75 with early hearing loss and mild memory problems can slow memory decline and related brain changes linked to Alzheimer's disease.
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Investigating how early hearing loss may relate to Alzheimer's disease
This study is looking at how using hearing aids might help people aged 55 to 75 with early hearing loss and mild memory issues, by seeing if better hearing can improve their thinking skills and social connections, possibly helping to prevent further memory decline.
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Benfotiamine for early Alzheimer's disease in a Phase II trial
A first-in-class blood-brain barrier form of vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is being tested in people with early Alzheimer’s disease to see if it can help memory and thinking.
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Noise-related hearing loss and its link to Alzheimer's progression
Researchers are looking at whether hearing damage from loud noise speeds memory loss and dementia in people at risk for Alzheimer's.
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Move2Joy: a personalized mobile program to boost activity and lower dementia risk
A mobile health program helps middle-aged and older adults stay physically active to reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
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Investigating how hearing loss affects cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease
This study is looking at how hearing loss might affect memory and brain health in people with Alzheimer's disease, using animals to see if losing hearing makes Alzheimer's symptoms worse, which could help us find ways to prevent or treat both conditions.
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.