Metacognition for Listening in Noise: The Role of Age and Hearing Loss

Despite general awareness about hearing difficulties in aging, older adults often respond to listening challenges by adopting maladaptive coping strategies, such as social withdrawal or isolation, that could negatively affect their well-being. Reasons behind such behaviors have been studied within the framework of metacognition (i.e., the ability to monitor one's performance and reflect on one's cognitive processes), which plays an important role in shaping strategic behavior. While previous research suggests that metacognitive abilities for listening are preserved with age, studies with younger adults indicate that hearing loss (HL) might reduce self-efficacy and perceived control over listening challenges, potentially influencing strategy use. Whether similar effects occur in older adults, a population particularly affected by listening difficulties, remains unclear. This study examined the impact of age and mild HL on metacognitive abilities related to listening and studied their association with the use of compensatory strategies.

Seventy-nine participants were recruited: 26 younger adults with normal hearing (NH; 20.8 yrs; 3 males), 26 older NH adults (64.6 yrs; 8 males), and 27 older adults with HL, none of whom used hearing aids (67.7 yrs; 14 males). Metacognitive monitoring was assessed through a listening-in-noise task, and broader metacognitive constructs (self-efficacy, locus of control, and knowledge of listening abilities) were evaluated using questionnaires. In addition, the influence of age and HL on self-reported use of compensatory strategies (tested by using questionnaire) was examined, along with their relationship with metacognitive factors. Group comparisons were performed using parametric t test analyses.

Age alone did not affect metacognitive monitoring, nor beliefs and knowledge about listening abilities. However, older adults with HL reported lower self-efficacy and less frequent use of some behavioral strategies compared with their NH peers, in the context of intact monitoring skills. Notably, perceived control and self-efficacy were associated with reported strategy use, especially among participants with HL.

Even mild HL appears to be reflected in older adults' self-perceptions of listening abilities. The links between metacognitive beliefs, perceived control, and strategy use suggest that these factors may shape coping behavior in the presence of HL. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing metacognitive aspects in interventions aimed at promoting adaptive listening strategies among older adults with hearing loss.