Barely noticeable changes in speech cited as early sign of dementia risk

The study, which included 833,417 people aged 50 and older, looked at the association between voice impairment, hearing loss, or both, along with the likelihood of developing cognitive impairment or dementia, including Alzheimer's, one year after being diagnosed with voice impairment and hearing loss.

The study, conducted by a team of scientists from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, was published in the Journal of Voice.

The results showed that participants with voice impairment but no hearing loss were 58% more likely to develop dementia or cognitive problems in the future, while participants with voice impairment and hearing loss were 104% more likely to develop dementia or cognitive problems in the future.

All participants with or without voice impairment were 29 percent more likely to develop dementia or cognitive impairment, while those with only hearing loss had a 27 percent higher risk.

“We found the strongest association with dementia in patients suffering from voice impairment and hearing loss,” said Robert Sataloff, professor and chair of Drexel University College of Medicine.

“Importantly, we found that patients with impaired voice and no hearing loss were at greater risk than those with only hearing loss,” he added.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, examples of voice disorders are laryngitis, vocal cord paralysis, vocal cord lesions, and spasmodic dysphonia (laryngeal dystonia).

Regardless of the possible relationship between voice problems and dementia, the researchers noted that seeking treatment for a voice disorder could also benefit a patient's brain.

Hearing loss and speech problems can discourage people from communicating with others, and research has shown that social activity can stimulate brain function and play a role in preventing dementia, Fox News points out.

Robert Sataloff says it is “quite natural” that voice impairment and hearing loss are associated with cognitive impairment. Those who experience pain or discomfort when talking or singing may be “less likely to engage in social or other interesting activities that support brain function.”.

Despite the findings, having a voice disorder does not necessarily mean that cognitive impairment is inevitable in the future.

In addition, there is no guarantee that voice problems indicate the beginning of a decline in brain function or the development of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, emphasizes Fox News.