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Updated: Jun 8, 2025

Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Impact of hearing impairment on cognitive performance
Pedro Ivo Machado Pires de Araújo1, Pauliana Lamounier E Silva Duarte1, Hugo Valter Lisboa Ramos1
1Programa de Cooperação Institucional CRER - Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Hearing loss characteristics significantly impact cognitive function. Sudden onset hearing loss and imbalance complaints are linked to poorer cognitive performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Hearing loss is a prevalent condition affecting a significant portion of the adult population.
- Cognitive decline is a growing concern, particularly in aging populations.
- The relationship between hearing loss and cognitive function requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cognitive performance in adults diagnosed with hearing loss.
- To determine associations between specific clinical characteristics of hearing loss and cognitive outcomes.
- To understand how different types and symptoms of hearing loss affect cognitive abilities.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional analytical observational study was conducted.
- 134 adults with hearing loss were assessed.
- Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), alongside the collection of clinical and audiometric data.
Main Results:
- The majority of participants had progressive (91.04%) and bilateral (87.31%) hearing loss, predominantly moderate (41.04%) and sensorineural (76.12%).
- Common symptoms included tinnitus (73.88%), vertigo (42.54%), and imbalance (33.58%).
- Sudden onset hearing loss and imbalance complaints were significantly associated with lower MMSE scores, indicating poorer cognitive performance.
Conclusions:
- Various hearing loss characteristics, including bilateral and sensorineural types, and symptoms like tinnitus and vertigo, influence cognitive performance.
- Sudden onset hearing loss and imbalance complaints are key indicators of reduced cognitive function.
- These findings highlight the critical need to consider the multifaceted impact of hearing loss on cognitive health.
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