Hearing Aid Use is Associated with Better Mini-Mental State Exam Performance

Hearing the Signs of Age-Related Cognitive Decline: A Commentary on “Hearing Aid Use Is Associated with Better Mini-Mental State Exam Performance”

“…In sum, the study by Qian et al 4 represents a thoughtful and productive step toward disentangling the relationship between cognition and hearing loss. Future work will likely require the identification of specific neuropsychological tests that target explicit aspects of hearing loss to improve our understanding and management of this complex relationship.…”

“…In this issue Qian et al 4 contribute to this critical area of interest by measuring the relationship between hearing aid use and performance on standard cognitive screening measures in 100 healthy older adults. Individuals using hearing aids outperformed nonusers on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), a general screen of cognition comprised of several verbal commands, despite poorer overall uncorrected hearing ability.…”

“…Qian et al 4 also reiterate that hearing aid users feel more handicapped by their hearing loss. This self-assessment of hearing should not be overlooked because it provides a window into how hearing loss can affect quality of life in older adults and subsequently their cognition.…”

“…Given the data presented by Qian et al, 4 the apparent solution is to provide hearing aids or other rehabilitation services much earlier in the course of hearing loss and to promote their use more aggressively. The implications for healthcare and public policy are clear; however, better assessment does not always translate into better care.…”

Age-Related Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline: You Haven't Heard the Half of It

“…Desjardins (2016) reported significant improvements in performance on cognitive test measures with hearing aid use, and then cognitive performance scores returning to baseline levels when hearing aids stopped being used. Qian et al (2016) showed hearing aid use enabled higher scores on a test involving working memory.…”