Is Working Memory Compromised in Individuals with Sensorineural Hearing Loss with Auditory Neural Origin?

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neuroscience
• Speech and Hearing Sciences

Background:

• Sensori Neural Hearing Loss (SNHL) impacts speech perception.
• Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) presents unique challenges in auditory processing.
• Understanding cognitive factors like working memory is crucial for hearing loss rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare working memory and speech recognition in noise between individuals with SNHL with and without ANSD.
• To explore the role of visual working memory in speech perception for individuals with SNHL and ANSD.
• To inform potential intervention strategies for speech perception difficulties.

Main Methods:

• Twenty participants (16-44 years) with mild to moderate SNHL were recruited.
• Participants were divided into two groups: SNHL with ANSD (n=10) and SNHL without ANSD (n=10).
• Visual working memory was assessed using Operation Span, Reading Span, and Visual Backward Tests. Speech perception in noise was evaluated using the SNR 50 test.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in visual working memory scores between the SNHL with ANSD and SNHL without ANSD groups.
• A significant difference was observed in speech perception in noise (SNR 50 scores), with the ANSD group performing significantly worse.
• Visual working memory capacity is comparable, but speech-in-noise perception is markedly impaired in individuals with ANSD.

Conclusions:

• Visual working memory is not significantly different between individuals with SNHL with and without ANSD.
• Speech perception in noise is significantly more affected in individuals with ANSD compared to those with SNHL alone.
• Speech reading, leveraging visual working memory, is recommended as a rehabilitation strategy for individuals with ANSD due to limited benefits from auditory rehabilitation alone.