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Relationship between Auditory and Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults
Stanley Sheft1, Valeriy Shafiro1, Emily Wang1
1Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
Plos One
|August 4, 2015
Summary
Central auditory abilities, specifically spectral-pattern discrimination, are linked to cognitive function in older adults. Basic hearing and speech-in-noise tests did not show this association.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
Background:
- Cognitive decline is a significant concern in aging populations.
- Hearing impairment is common in older adults and may impact cognition.
- Previous research has yielded mixed results on the hearing-cognition link.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between peripheral and central auditory abilities and cognitive function in non-demented older adults.
- To determine if specific auditory measures predict cognitive performance.
Main Methods:
- Community-dwelling older adults (63-98 years) without dementia were recruited.
- Auditory abilities assessed via pure-tone audiometry, speech-in-noise, and spectral-pattern discrimination.
- Cognitive function evaluated using a 12-test battery.
Main Results:
- Spectral-pattern discrimination thresholds, not hearing thresholds or speech-in-noise, were associated with cognitive performance.
- Working memory and visuospatial abilities showed the strongest link to spectral-pattern discrimination.
- Demographic factors like race, age, and education were considered.
Conclusions:
- Central auditory processing, measured by spectral-pattern discrimination, is associated with cognitive status in older adults.
- Peripheral hearing and speech-in-noise abilities were not significantly linked to global cognition.
- These findings highlight the importance of central auditory function in maintaining cognitive abilities.
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