Hearing Loss, Cognitive Load and Dementia: An Overview of Interrelation, Detection and Monitoring Challenges with Wearable Non-invasive Microwave Sensors

TL;DR

This paper reviews how hearing loss impacts neurological health and explores wearable microwave sensors for early detection and monitoring of dementia, emphasizing technological and clinical challenges and future prospects.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the interrelation between hearing loss, cognitive load, and dementia, and discusses innovative wearable microwave sensor solutions for diagnosis and monitoring.

Findings

Hearing loss is linked to increased risk of dementia.

Wearable microwave sensors show potential for non-invasive monitoring.

Future research should focus on device accuracy and privacy concerns.

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of hearing loss effects on neurological function and progressive diseases; and explores the role of cognitive load monitoring to detect dementia. It also investigates the prospects of utilizing hearing aid technology to reverse cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia, for the old age population. The interrelation between hearing loss, cognitive load and dementia is discussed. Future considerations for improvement with respect to robust diagnosis, user centricity, device accuracy and privacy for wider clinical practice is also explored. The review concludes by discussing the future scope and potential of designing practical wearable microwave technologies and evaluating their use in smart care homes setting.