[Current status and future perspectives on age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment]

Objective:Age-related hearing loss（ARHL） is one of the most common sensory degenerative disorders in the elderly, characterized by high prevalence, insidious onset, and progressive deterioration. Recent studies indicate that ARHL not only impairs communication and quality of life in older adults, but is also significantly associated with the development of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. However, its underlying pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, and the relationship between clinical phenotypes of ARHL and cognitive decline has yet to be clearly defined. ARHL occupies a pivotal position in geriatric health management and in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, yet it has not been systematically conceptualized or mechanistically examined. In this review, we summarize the current research progress on ARHL and cognitive impairment, analyze possible mechanisms linking the two conditions, evaluate the potential cognitive protective effects of hearing interventions, and propose priority directions for future research and clinical practice. With advances in multidisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation, the prevention and treatment of ARHL are expected to enter a new era of greater precision and efficiency, offering novel opportunities to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and improve overall health in older populations.