Dual- and Single-Task Training in Older Adults With Age-Related Hearing Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Audiology

Background:

• Age-related hearing loss is prevalent in older adults.
• Hearing impairment can negatively affect cognitive and physical functions.
• Task training interventions may mitigate these effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of dual-task and single-task training on older adults with age-related hearing loss.
• To assess impacts on physical, cognitive, and auditory functions, quality of life, and balance.
• To compare outcomes between intervention and control groups.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 42 older adults with age-related hearing loss.
• Intervention groups received either single-task or dual-task training.
• Training occurred twice weekly for 5 weeks, totaling 10 sessions.
• Evaluated physical, cognitive, auditory functions, quality of life, balance, fall concerns, ADL independence, and dual-task performance.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements observed in chair stand, chair sit-and-reach, global cognitive function, and delayed recall in intervention groups compared to controls (p < .05).
• No significant differences were found in quality of life, balance, falling concerns, ADL independence, or dual-task performance between groups (p > .05).

Conclusions:

• Single- and dual-task training demonstrate positive effects on physical and cognitive functioning in older adults with age-related hearing loss.
• These training modalities may serve as beneficial non-pharmacological interventions for this population.