TAMPA, Fla. — Doctors at USF Health participated in research that found hearing intervention helped slow cognitive decline in some seniors.

The Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) study found hearing intervention slowed cognitive decline by 48% in older adults with hearing loss at an increased risk for cognitive decline.

USF Health was responsible for the hearing intervention used in the study.

“One of the largest studies to date...to evaluate the positive effect of hearing intervention on brain health,” said Dr. Victoria Sanchez, assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology. She said she is inspired by the findings. 

“We looked at their ability for memory and attention,” said Sanchez of the study that monitored participants ages 70 to 84 for three years.

“Those that received the hearing intervention were able to retain the memory and attention abilities,” Sanchez said.

While conceding that more research is needed, Sanchez said she hopes this data helps put the need for hearing treatment and intervention at the forefront.

New research has already begun, like looking at early age-related hearing loss.

Sixty-six-year-old Lynn Starkey is part of that clinical trial looking at the impact of hearing intervention on physical function, cognition and overall quality of life.

“Until I got the hearing aids, I didn’t realize how bad my hearing really was,” Starkey said. “It’s been like I’m in a different world.”

It’s a world where Starkey and the doctors said they hope new data from studies like these help make treatment and prevention for hearing loss a priority for all ages.