Background: Dementia affects millions of people worldwide. The focus of this study is the identification of dementia developments and social withdrawal tendencies in inpatient care facilities in Lower Saxony in patients with and without hearing aids in a 1-year-follow up.

Methods: This study was conducted in three nursing homes in the greater Hanover area. The mini mental status test and clock test were used to identify and compare dementia development in comparison to hearing loss over a one-year period.

Results: In a one year follow up a total of 54% (n=43) were lost to follow up (due to progress of dementia and death). The patients lost to follow up had a greater sensorineural hearing loss and worse scores in the MMST and clock test (MMST mean 18.2, clock test mean 3.8). The remaining study population showed a slight increase during the one year follow up in mean hearing loss as well as cognitive decline. Patients with hearing aids showed more consistent MMST and clock test scores and less cognitive decline than those without hearing aids.

Conclusion: Sensorineural hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia. Hearing aid provision can help reduce the progress of hearing loss and moreover the development of cognitive impairment as well as dementia.

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