Auditory processing disorder in elderly

Abstract

Objectives With an increase in age, peripheral hearing loss and CNS changes occur both structurally and functionally. These changes affect the processes of hearing and listening and auditory data processing. The elderly subjects with normal or near normal auditory sensitivity experience degrees of age-related auditory processing disorder. This study aimed to explore these changes in the elderly population and to compare them with young subjects. Methods In the present study, the dichotic digits test (DDT) was performed to evaluate the binaural auditory processing, and the gap in noise (GIN) detection test was performed to assess the auditory temporal processing function. Results A significant difference was found in the mean approximate threshold and percent of correct answers of GIN between the old and young subjects (p < 0.05). There was also a significant difference in the mean score of DDT in each ear between the two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion The results showed that binaural auditory processing and auditory temporal processing capabilities reduce in the elderly. Early detection of these changes in the elderly and the design of appropriate rehabilitation programs can markedly improve the performance of elderly people.