Hearing, cognition, and reserve: unpacking cognitive resilience in aging

Project Summary

As people age, many experience hearing loss, which has been linked to cognitive problems. This study looks at both types of hearing loss: problems with detecting sounds (peripheral hearing) and problems with understanding sounds in the brain (central hearing). It also considers how people’s lifestyles—like education, work, and social activities—can help protect their thinking skills, a concept known as “cognitive reserve.” Using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, we will explore how different types of hearing loss relate to cognitive abilities, and whether cognitive reserve can help reduce the impact of hearing loss on the brain. We will also compare how well people’s own reports of hearing loss match up with hearing test results and how both are linked to cognitive decline. This research aims to give a fuller picture of hearing and brain health in older adults and help improve support and care for aging populations.