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Hearing loss risk for Parkinson's Disease

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Hearing impairment is implicated as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (Parkinson's) incidence, with evidence suggesting that clinically diagnosed hearing loss increases Parkinson's risk 1.5–1.6 fold over 2–5 years follow up. However, the evidence is not unanimous with additional studies observing that self-reported hearing capabilities do not significantly influence Parkinson's incidence. Thus, additional cohort analyses that draw on alternative auditory measures are required to further corroborate the link between Parkinson's and hearing impairment. To determine whether hearing impairment, estimated using a speech-in-noise test (the Digit Triplet Test, DTT), is a risk factor for Parkinson's incidence. This was a pre-registered prospective cohort study using data from the UK Biobank. Data pertaining to 159,395 individuals, who underwent DTT testing and were free from Parkinson's at the point of assessment, were analysed. A Cox Proportional Hazard model, controlling for age, sex and educational attainment was conducted.
During a median follow up of 14.24 years, 810 cases of probable Parkinson's were observed. The risk of incident Parkinson's increased with baseline hearing impairment [hazard ratio: 1.57 (95%CI: 1.018, 2.435; P = .041)], indicating 57 % increase in risk for every 10 dB increase in speech-reception threshold (SRT). However, when hearing impairment was categorised in accordance with UK Biobank SRT norms neither ‘Insufficient’ nor ‘Poor’ hearing significantly influenced Parkinson's risk compared to ‘Normal’ hearing. The congruence of these findings with prior research further supports the existence of a relationship between hearing impairment and Parkinson's incidence.
 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14308819/hearing-loss-hidden-sign-Parkinsons.html
Period2/02/2025
Hearing impairment is implicated as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (Parkinson's) incidence, with evidence suggesting that clinically diagnosed hearing loss increases Parkinson's risk 1.5–1.6 fold over 2–5 years follow up. However, the evidence is not unanimous with additional studies observing that self-reported hearing capabilities do not significantly influence Parkinson's incidence. Thus, additional cohort analyses that draw on alternative auditory measures are required to further corroborate the link between Parkinson's and hearing impairment. To determine whether hearing impairment, estimated using a speech-in-noise test (the Digit Triplet Test, DTT), is a risk factor for Parkinson's incidence. This was a pre-registered prospective cohort study using data from the UK Biobank. Data pertaining to 159,395 individuals, who underwent DTT testing and were free from Parkinson's at the point of assessment, were analysed. A Cox Proportional Hazard model, controlling for age, sex and educational attainment was conducted.
During a median follow up of 14.24 years, 810 cases of probable Parkinson's were observed. The risk of incident Parkinson's increased with baseline hearing impairment [hazard ratio: 1.57 (95%CI: 1.018, 2.435; P = .041)], indicating 57 % increase in risk for every 10 dB increase in speech-reception threshold (SRT). However, when hearing impairment was categorised in accordance with UK Biobank SRT norms neither ‘Insufficient’ nor ‘Poor’ hearing significantly influenced Parkinson's risk compared to ‘Normal’ hearing. The congruence of these findings with prior research further supports the existence of a relationship between hearing impairment and Parkinson's incidence.
 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14308819/hearing-loss-hidden-sign-Parkinsons.html

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TitleSuffering hearing loss? It could be hidden sign you're at risk of a terrifying, independence robbing condition that affects thousands
Media name/outletDaily Mail
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
Date2/02/25
DescriptionThere may be a link between hearing impairment and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s according to research led by Lancaster University.

This is one of the first studies to examine whether sensory impairments, such as hearing loss, might increase the risk for Parkinson’s or serve as an early warning sign.

Parkinson's UK reports that an estimated 153,000 people in the UK currently live with Parkinson's, which is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. It is estimated that 1 in 37 people in the UK will be diagnosed with Parkinson's in their lifetime.

The study entitled “Speech-in-noise hearing impairment is associated with increased risk of Parkinson’s: A UK Biobank Analysis” is published in Parkinsonism and Related Disorders.

The research team from Lancaster University analysed data from the UK Biobank, a biomedical database containing data from half a million participants across the UK. They looked at data from 159,395 individuals who had previously undergone a hearing test measuring their ability to detect speech in noisy environments and had no history of Parkinson’s at the time of the assessment.

Over an average follow-up period of 14.24 years, 810 participants were subsequently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The analysis revealed a 57% increased risk of Parkinson’s for every 10-decibel increase in baseline hearing impairment.
PersonsMegan Readman, Trevor Crawford, Christopher Plack