The study results found that for those at higher risk of cognitive decline, providing hearing aids and counseling slowed cognitive decline by 48% over 3 years compared to a control group. The hearing intervention utilized comprehensive audiological evaluations, evidence-based device fitting, and patient education and support. While additional analyses continue, these significant findings demonstrate the potential impact optimized hearing care can have on supporting long-term cognitive health.

The panelists emphasize that complex research like ACHIEVE requires interdisciplinary expertise and collaboration. As the field increasingly focuses on the connections between hearing and cognition, audiologists will need to take a more holistic approach in managing patients while partnering closely with physicians, researchers and others. Resources like Phonak's upcoming ECHHO training program will help clinicians translate recent research on hearing and cognitive health into effective patient care and communication. With cognitive decline emerging as a major health issue, audiology has an opportunity to play a central role in providing interventions that support cognitive health in aging adults.

More information about the ECHHO program can be found here:

https://www.sonova.com/en/media/phonak-introduces-echho-program-enhance-understanding-link-between-hearing-loss-and-cognitive

Members of the ACHIEVE Collaborative Research Group are listed at achievestudy.org.

The Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) Study is supported by the National

Institute on Aging (NIA) R01AG055426 and R01AG060502 with previous pilot study support from the NIA R34AG046548 and the Eleanor Schwartz Charitable Foundation, in collaboration with the

Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, supported by National Heart, Lung, and Blood

Institute contracts (HHSN268201700001I, HHSN268201700002I, HHSN268201700003I,

HHSN268201700005I, HHSN268201700004I). Neurocognitive data are collected by 2U01HL096812, 2U01HL096814, 2U01HL096899, 2U01HL096902, 2U01HL096917 from the NIH (NHLBI, NINDS, NIA and NIDCD), and with previous brain MRI examinations funded by R01HL70825 from the NHLBI.

The funder of the study had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, writing of the report, or the decision to submit for publication. 

The investigators thank the staff and participants of the ACHIEVE and ARIC studies for their important contributions and dedication to the study, Sonova / Phonak for in-kind donation of hearing technologies and training support of audiologists for the ACHIEVE study, and the members of the ACHIEVE DSMB (Doug Galasko, Julie Buring, Judy Dubno, Tom Greene, and Larry Lustig) for their guidance and insights during the course of the study.

The Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) Hearing Intervention Follow-Up

Study (ACHIEVE – HIFU) is supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) R01DC019408.

The Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) Brain Health Follow-Up Study

(ACHIEVE – BHFU) is supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) R01AG076518.

The Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) Hearing Intervention Follow-Up

Study (ACHIEVE – HIFU) is supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) R01DC019408.