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Is Work-Related Hearing Loss Associated With Dementia? Evidence From a High-Risk Population
Marianne Cloeren1, John Dement2, Jane Quackenbush1
1School of Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|October 3, 2025
Summary
Occupational hearing loss is linked to a higher prevalence of dementia, especially with increased severity. These findings suggest hearing conservation may aid in dementia prevention efforts.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Neurology
- Audiology
Background:
- Age-related hearing loss is a known risk factor for dementia.
- This study investigates hearing loss and dementia risk in individuals exposed to occupational noise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between occupational hearing loss and dementia prevalence and incidence.
- To assess if hearing loss severity correlates with dementia risk.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of data from the Building Trades National Medical Screening Program (BTMed).
- Hearing loss defined as speech-frequency pure-tone average ≥20 dB HL; categorized by severity.
- Dementia defined using comprehensive medical history, physical exams, and medication data.
Main Results:
- 54.6% of 24,958 participants had hearing loss.
- Significant association found between hearing loss (≥20 dB HL) and dementia prevalence (aOR=1.88).
- Longitudinal analysis showed a non-significant but directionally similar trend for incident dementia (HR=1.60).
Conclusions:
- Occupational hearing loss is associated with dementia, similar to age-related hearing loss.
- Findings highlight the potential role of hearing conservation and rehabilitation in dementia prevention.
- Further research in high-risk cohorts with audiometry is warranted.
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