Noise-related hearing loss and its link to Alzheimer's progression
Official title: The effect of noise induced hearing loss on Alzheimer's disease development and progression
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11457053 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether hearing damage from loud noise speeds memory loss and dementia in people at risk for Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $775,658 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG082216-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457053 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be older adults with a history of loud-noise exposure or measurable hearing loss, or people at increased risk for Alzheimer's interested in hearing and cognitive testing.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced Alzheimer's or whose dementia is unrelated to hearing or noise exposure are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research in the near term.
What this research studies
This project examines whether common loud-noise exposure and a form of 'hidden hearing loss' can cause Alzheimer's to start sooner or progress faster. The team will use Alzheimer's animal models (APP/PS1) exposed to noise and measure hearing function, memory, and brain changes, including synapse damage and pathological markers. They will relate those lab findings to human-focused questions about hearing loss, communication difficulties, social isolation, and cognitive decline. The aim is to reveal biological links that could point to prevention or early-intervention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify noise exposure and hidden hearing loss as modifiable risk factors, supporting hearing-protection or early-treatment steps to delay Alzheimer's onset or progression.
How similar studies have gone: Population studies have linked hearing loss to higher dementia risk, but the specific contribution of noise-induced hidden hearing loss to Alzheimer's is largely new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Hong-Bo — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Hong-Bo
Related research
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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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Investigating how noise-induced hearing loss affects Alzheimer's disease development and progression
This study is looking at how loud noises might affect hearing and possibly lead to Alzheimer's disease, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how their hearing health could relate to their memory and thinking skills.
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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.