Understanding and Helping Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia by Addressing Hearing Loss
Addressing Hearing Loss as a Common Unmet Contributor to Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
This project explores how treating hearing loss might improve common symptoms like agitation and depression in older adults living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123148 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) experience challenging neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, apathy, and sleep problems, which can be difficult for both patients and their caregivers. We know that hearing loss is also very common in this age group, and our previous work suggests a connection between hearing loss and these symptoms. This project aims to develop and test a user-friendly hearing care approach, possibly using new over-the-counter hearing devices, to see if it can help reduce these symptoms. Our goal is to find a non-medication way to improve the quality of life for individuals with ADRD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults, aged 65 and above, who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and experience neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have hearing loss or who do not experience neuropsychiatric symptoms related to dementia may not receive direct benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could offer a new, non-drug approach to reduce challenging neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia, improving their well-being and easing caregiver burden.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team has shown a strong link between hearing loss and neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals with cognitive impairment, and has explored a user-centered hearing care intervention.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oh, Esther Seunghee — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Oh, Esther Seunghee
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 below.