An Overview of Auditory and Vestibular Disorders in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia which, in addition to affecting memory, cognition, language, and other functions, also appears to be associated with hearing loss and vestibular function. In this paper, the neural pathology of AD, relation to neuroplasticity, and associations between AD and auditory and vestibular dysfunction have been reviewed. In this narrative study, articles published between 2000 and 2021 were reviewed. Fifty articles, related mostly to hearing and vestibular disorders in AD, were selected from a review of 200 English articles. The keywords Alzheimer’s disease, neuroplasticity, auditory and vestibular rehabilitation, auditory and vestibular disorders were searched in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, ProQuest and Google Scholar databases. Recent studies have shown an association between AD and auditory and vestibular function. Hearing loss can cause dementia and reduced communication skills in patients with AD. It has also been observed that some patients with AD lose their vestibular function, leading to an imbalance in the body and an increased risk of falling. It seems neuroplasticity of the brain is a good treatment for degenerative diseases such as AD, which is possible through auditory and vestibular rehabilitation. Hearing and vestibular evaluation in people with AD can be effective in identifying related problems, so that in cases where the disorder is observed, through the phenomenon of neuroplasticity and the use of auditory and vestibular rehabilitation,therapists can take effective steps in improving the performance and quality of life of these patients.

Keywords

• alzheimer disease
• hearing disorders
• vestibular system