Correspondence Between Cognitive and Audiological Evaluations Among the Elderly: A Preliminary Report of an Audiological Screening Model of Subjects at Risk of Cognitive Decline With Slight to Moderate Hearing Loss

Abstract

Epidemiological studies show increasing prevalence rates of cognitive decline and hearing loss with age, particularly after the age of 65 years. These conditions are reported to be associated, although conclusive evidence of causality and implications is lacking. Nevertheless, audiological and cognitive assessment among elderly people is a key target for comprehensive and multidisciplinary evaluation of the subject's frailty status. To evaluate the use of tools for identifying older adults at risk of hearing loss and cognitive decline and to compare skills and abilities in terms of hearing and cognitive performances between older adults and young subjects, we performed a prospective cross-sectional study using supraliminal auditory tests. The relationship between cognitive assessment results and audiometric results was investigated, and reference ranges for different ages or stages of disease were determined. Patients older than 65 years with different degrees of hearing function were enrolled. Each subject underwent an extensive audiological assessment, including tonal and speech audiometry, Italian Matrix Sentence Test, and speech audiometry with logatomes in quiet. Cognitive function was screened and then verified by experienced clinicians using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Score, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and further investigations in some. One hundred twenty-three subjects were finally enrolled during 2016-2019: 103 were >65 years of age and 20 were younger participants (as controls). Cognitive functions showed a correlation with the audiological results in post-lingual hearing-impaired patients, in particular in those affected by slight to moderate hearing loss and aged more than 70 years. Audiological testing can thus be useful in clinical

Hearing Loss in Beta-Thalassemia: Systematic Review

“…Second, hearing loss might be a precious warning light of toxicity of the ongoing therapy, thus allowing for prompt dosage adjustment; this approach was proven to often revert or reduce the perceived hearing loss [ 23 , 57 ]. Third, untreated hearing loss might cause a wide range of consequences, from social isolation to depression, and might predispose to an earlier onset of dementia [ 66 ].…”

Self-Reported Hearing Loss and Associated Factors in Older Adults at a Memory Clinic

“…Studies show the importance of auditory rehabilitation to cognition in the same perspective, as there was a decrease in the MoCA scores after undergoing cochlear implant surgery (Castiglione et al, 2016). Also, there is a correlation between the decrease in these scores and better results in a central auditory processing assessment test (Castiglione et al, 2019).…”

“…Both conditions lead to similar behaviors, such as social isolation and depression (Samelli et al, 2016). Studies have highlighted the potential positive effects of auditory rehabilitation (e.g., hearing aids, cochlear implants) and auditory training in older adults' cognitive function (Castiglione et al, 2016(Castiglione et al, , 2019.…”

How great is the negative impact of masking and social distancing and how can we enhance communication skills in the elderly people?

“…The benefit has proved effective and should be recommended even in mild hearing loss [ 15 ]. Concerning the profound hearing impairments, age is no longer a contraindication to cochlear implantation and the audiological outcome in elderly people is comparable to those obtained in young adults [ 16 ].…”