The prevalence of patient-reported cognitive complaints and dementia risk factors in the audiology clinic.

Background: Hearing-dementia research mainly focuses on determining the causal direction of this association. Little is known about the prevalence of cognitive problems in a representative audiology patient population.

Aim: To examine the occurrence of self-reported cognitive complaints (SCC) and dementia risk factors (RF) in an audiology patient population.

Materials and methods: Patients visiting audiology clinics (n = 1100, 51% female and avg. age 61yrs) were administered an online intake tool based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health. Domains extracted for analyses were memory and concentration (SCC) and loneliness, depression, sleep and vision (dementia RF) and self-reported hearing problems (SHP). Prevalence rates and associations with demographic variables and SHP were examined.

Results: SCC were highly prevalent, with over half of the patients reporting memory or concentration problems. Regarding dementia RF, 68% reported sleeping problems and > 50% reported sadness, anxiety or depressed mood. SHP correlated significantly with self-reported memory problems, loneliness, and vision problems.

Conclusion: This descriptive cohort-study suggests a high risk of cognitive issues within the audiology clinic population, indicated by the high prevalence of SCC and some dementia RF. Our findings underscore the importance of considering closer cooperation between care pathways like audiology and neurology and use of a holistic patient-centered approach.