Parkinson’s Disease and Hearing Aids

Parkinson’s is caused by a progressive and irreversible degeneration of dopamine neurons (nerve cells) in certain areas of the brain.

When this deterioration exceeds a certain threshold, estimated at 50–60%, people experience motor symptoms like stiffness, akinesia (difficulty moving), bradykinesia (slow movement), tremors at rest and postural instability. The disease is also characterized by non-motor symptoms, including cognitive impairment and hearing loss.

The link between Parkinson’s disease and hearing loss is due to the absence of dopamine, a hormone that can protect the cochlea from noise exposure, among other things. A lack of dopamine can therefore allow the cochlea to become damaged, resulting in hearing loss.

In addition, a major study was conducted between 2000 and 2010 by researchers from the Taichung Tzu Chi General Hospital, China Medical University and Taiwan College of Health Sciences, involving more than 5,000 patients aged 65 and over. The study found that Parkinson’s disease was 1.77 times more likely to occur in a group of patients with hearing loss compared to a group without hearing loss.

If you know someone with Parkinson’s disease, or if you have Parkinson’s disease, you can make an appointment for a complete hearing test. In fact, it is recommended that everyone aged 50 and older have their hearing assessed every two years as a preventive measure. Following the assessment, you will be advised on the next steps to take (if any) and referred to the professionals who will best meet your needs.

If hearing correction is needed, there are different solutions that can help people with Parkinson’s. For instance, rechargeable hearing aids may be suggested, as they require a lot less handling. With rechargeable hearing aids, the battery doesn’t need to be changed. Simply place the hearing aids in the charging stand and you’re done! Remote controls or smartphone apps also make hearing aids easier to use, as the volume or listening program can be adjusted from the device.

These are just a few examples of solutions that can help people with Parkinson’s disease correct their hearing. Do not hesitate to consult an audioprosthetist for more information.