RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEARING LOSS AND MEMORY IMPAIRMENT SYSTEMIC PATHOLOGIES AND AUDITORY DEFICITS: DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, AND THE COGNITIVE RISK TRIAD

This study investigates the synergistic relationship between vascular metabolic diseases—specifically diabetes mellitus (DM) and arterial hypertension (HTN)—and the development of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The findings suggest that auditory impairment represents a systemic manifestation of auditory microangiopathy and cochlear hypoxia, serving as an important biomarker of vascular and metabolic health. Furthermore, the coexistence of diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and hearing loss forms a Cognitive Risk Triad, which may substantially increase the risk of cognitive decline and the subsequent development of clinical dementia. These observations underscore the importance of early identification and integrated management of vascular and metabolic risk factors as part of comprehensive strategies for hearing preservation and dementia prevention.

Keywords: hearing loss; diabetes mellitus; arterial hypertension; sensorineural hearing loss; cognitive decline; Cognitive Risk Triad; dementia prevention.