[Detection of hearing loss in dementia patients : pilot study and literature survey]

There is a higher incidence of dementia among people with hearing loss, although the complex interrelation is not yet understood. The potential influence of hearing rehabilitation is also unclear. A previously published retrospective study on this topic throws doubt on the ability of dementia patients to accomplish audiometric tests. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study to analyse the feasibility of applying conventional speech and pure tone audiometry in patients with dementia. In contrast to previously published data, we were able to achieve reproducible results in almost all patients. The difficulty associated with audiometric testing in dementia patients does thus not seem to lie in the application of pure tone and speech audiometry. On the basis of evidence indicating the importance of central hearing loss in the elderly, these tests alone do not appear sufficient. It is of greater interest to ascertain whether central hearing loss is relevant in patients suffering from dementia and whether corresponding audiometric tests are feasible.