The ACHIEVE study is a completed randomized controlled trial that tested whether treating age-related hearing loss could slow cognitive decline in older adults. Nearly 977 participants aged 70 to 84 with hearing loss but normal cognition were enrolled and randomly assigned to either receive a full hearing intervention — including hearing devices, counseling, and education — or a healthy aging education program as a control. Participants were followed for three years. This trial is highly significant because hearing loss is one of the most prevalent and modifiable risk factors for dementia, yet rarely targeted in clinical prevention strategies. Results from this study could reshape how clinicians approach hearing care as a tool for brain health preservation in aging populations.
