Hearing loss and cortical atrophy in a population-based study on non-demented women

SIR—Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is common and may cause difficulties in perception and understanding speech. ARHL is influenced by ageing, genetic factors, noise and other environmental factors [1]. Age-related brain atrophy is related to reductions in the number of neurons, and decreased cortical synaptic density. Brain atrophy may potentially damage hearing capacity through the impairment of primary and secondary auditory centres which are located in the temporal lobe. To our knowledge, no study has examined the relationship between brain atrophy and ARHL. In a population-based sample of non-demented women, we examined whether there is an association between ARHL and brain atrophy, and whether this relationship is influenced by cognitive function.