[The speech audiometry test with the verbal tasks and motor responses]

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Gerontology
• Neuroscience

Context:

• Aging populations experience increased prevalence of hearing loss and cognitive disorders.
• Evaluating auditory function in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment presents unique challenges.
• Standard speech audiometry may be insufficient for this demographic.

Purpose:

• To assess the utility of the Russian version of the speech audiometry test with verbal tasks and motor responses (VTMR) for elderly patients with hearing impairment and cognitive disorders.
• To determine if VTMR can effectively evaluate hearing aid efficacy in this population.

Summary:

• The study involved 20 elderly patients (60-83 years) with hearing loss and mild cognitive disorders using hearing aids, and 12 healthy controls (64-88 years) with normal hearing and mild cognitive impairment.
• Participants underwent pure-tone audiometry, speech tests (polysyllabic words and VTMR), and completed questionnaires (MMSE, HHIE).
• Results indicated the VTMR test is suitable for evaluating hearing aid effectiveness in the elderly and for studying auditory function in patients with cognitive disorders.

Impact:

• The VTMR test offers a valuable tool for audiological assessment in elderly individuals with combined hearing loss and cognitive impairment.
• Findings can inform clinical practice regarding hearing aid fitting and auditory rehabilitation strategies for this demographic.
• This research contributes to a better understanding of auditory processing in aging brains with cognitive decline.