A small change in voice may be an early sign of dementia
A large-scale study by Drexel University found a link between voice disorders, such as changes in pitch or speech clarity, and an increased risk of developing dementia. Participants with only a voice disorder had a 58% higher risk of dementia; a combination of voice disorder and hearing loss increased the risk by 104%. The researchers recommend early treatment.
A new large-scale study by Drexel University in Philadelphia, published in the Journal of Voice, found a link between voice disorders and an increased risk of developing dementia. The study included 833,417 participants aged 50 and older. It found that participants with only a voice disorder had a 58% higher risk of developing dementia. A combination of voice disorder and hearing loss increased the risk by 104%. Examples of voice disorders include laryngitis, vocal cord paralysis, vocal cord lesions, and spasmodic dysphonia. The researchers, led by Prof. Robert Satloff, emphasized that seeking medical treatment may help maintain brain health, as speech difficulties can lead to avoidance of social gatherings, and active social engagement protects against dementia. However, the researchers clarify that a voice disorder does not necessarily indicate inevitable cognitive impairment.