Abstract
AbstractBackgroundAge‐related hearing loss (ARHL) may be a potential modifiable risk factor for neurocognitive decline and dementia. Previous studies have reported HL is associated with decline in visual memory function. Evidence also suggests that following ARHL, there is neural reorganization in regions critical for memory. The aim of this pilot was to explore the association of ARHL with neural correlates of visual short‐term memory binding (VSTMB).MethodParticipants over the age of 65 were recruited and divided into three groups (controls (n = 14), mild HL (n = 21), and moderate or greater HL (n = 23)) based on results from a tablet‐based hearing measure. Volunteers completed the VSTMB task (shapes and binding conditions) while electroencephalography (EEG) data was synchronously recorded using a high‐density EEG array (128 scalp electrodes). Analysis was focused on comparing 5 different components (P1, N1, P2, P3, and late positive potential (LPP)) between both HL groups to controls for the memory encoding and testing phases on both shapes and binding conditions. Statistical analysis of source reconstructions (sLORETA) was also performed to explore neural regions underlying VSTMB.ResultThere was no difference between groups in behavioral performance on the VSTMB task. There were a limited number of differences in electrophysiological activity, primarily in P1, P2, P3 and LPP which increased from mild to moderate or greater HL. Analyses of source reconstructions suggested there were bilateral differences in frontal, central, parietal, temporal, and occipital neural regions between groups.ConclusionThere were no differences in behavioral outcomes in VSTMB with HL. There may be underlying differences in neural activity on this task with greater HL which is in accordance with prior research. Further investigation into differences in neural processes underlying episodic memory with HL would be informative, particularly to examine if such differences are associated with future memory function.
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