From Sound to Silence: Hearing Loss, Dementia, and the Search for Preventive and Restorative Therapies

The global rise in life expectancy has brought with it a dramatic increase in age-related health conditions, particularly those affecting sensory and cognitive function. Among these, hearing loss and dementia are two of the most prevalent and interlinked challenges facing older adults. Recent studies increasingly suggest that hearing loss may not only precede dementia but could act as a modifiable risk factor for its onset and progression. Understanding this connection is crucial for developing early interventions that preserve cognitive health and overall quality of life in aging populations.Age-related hearing loss, affecting over one-third of individuals aged 65 and older, has long been viewed as a communication barrier. However, mounting evidence suggests its influence may extend deep into cognitive domains, contributing to neurodegenerative processes through increased cognitive load, social withdrawal, depression, and even structural brain changes. Despite these findings, hearing loss remains underrecognized and undertreated in both clinical and research contexts worldwide.This Research Topic aims to explore the dynamic relationship between hearing loss and dementia through a multidisciplinary lens. We welcome submissions that investigate clinical, neurobiological, public health, and technological perspectives. In particular, we encourage studies exploring the potential of gene therapy as a novel treatment strategy. Gene-based approaches hold growing promise for addressing the underlying causes of sensorineural hearing loss, and may, in turn, offer a preventative strategy for dementia by preserving auditory input and neural integrity.Our goal is to drive forward a more integrated understanding of how auditory and cognitive health interact and how intervention—whether behavioral, technological, or genetic—may modify the trajectory of decline.This Research Topic welcomes all article types accepted by Frontiers in Neurology (including original research, reviews, systematic reviews, and brief reports), particularly those addressing:· Mechanistic studies exploring the biological link between hearing loss and cognitive decline· Clinical trials on hearing restoration and their effects on cognitive function· Neuroimaging, biomarker, or neuropathological studies investigating shared pathways in auditory and cognitive decline· Development of integrated screening and diagnostic tools for dual sensory-cognitive impairment· Public health strategies for early identification and intervention targeting both hearing loss and dementia risk· Innovations in assistive and rehabilitative technologies that address both sensory and cognitive health· The role of gene therapy in preventing or reversing sensorineural hearing loss and its impact on neurodegenerationBy advancing research at this critical intersection, we aim to support a holistic approach to aging that emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and the potential of cutting-edge therapies—including gene therapy—to transform outcomes for older adults. Topic editors: Yona Vaisbuch, Maura Cosetti, Ksenia A Aaron, Joel Lavinsky Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/73008/from-sound-to-silence-hearing-loss-dementia-and-the-search-for-preventive-and-restorative-therapies