Rolul medicului otorinolaringolog în îmbunătăţirea declinului cognitiv
Longevity is expected to rise in the following years, therefore neurological problems become a global health concern. Dementia and hearing loss are highly prevalent pathologies in the older population, and a possible association between them was studied in recent years. Dementia is still considered an incurable disease, but the evolution of the symptoms is considered manageable by addressing the risk factors. In the latest studies, hearing loss has been considered a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, along with obesity, smoking, hypertension, depression and physical inactivity. This paper presents the potentially pivotal role hearing loss might have in the evolution of cognitive decline and a summary of studied theories regarding the relationship between these pathologies. The recent guideline of the World Health Organization regarding cognitive decline management involves otolaryngologists in the effort of improving outcomes.