Central Auditory Processing Deficits in the Elderly

Lilian Felipe

doi:10.34297/ajbsr.2019.03.000654

Abstract

Central Auditory Processing Deficits in the Elderly

Highlights

Age related effects on the peripheral auditory system is commonly discussed in relation to presbycusis, but a central presbycusis can occur [1]
While the symptoms and effects of a central auditory processing deficit can be broad, specific psychophysical tests can have been useful in evaluating the deficits
Assessment of dichotic listening found that some elderly persons have a left-ear disadvantage and poor message-to-comprehension scores as the listening environment became more challenging which supports the possibility of declined functioning of the corpus callosum [4]

Summary

Introduction

Age related effects on the peripheral auditory system is commonly discussed in relation to presbycusis, but a central presbycusis can occur [1]. Central presbycusis is often suspected when an elderly person displaces disproportionally poor speech performance when considering their hearing sensitivity, physical health, and cognitive status. When considering the processing of speech comprehension, one must separate the effect of the peripheral system to supply appropriate “bottom-up” data for processing, and the central auditory system to perform “top-down” higher-order process [1,4]. General cognitive functions that can further impact comprehension are memory, attention, and speech of processing [1]. Increased listening effort required to attend to complex or degraded signals can reallocate cognitive load resulting in poor short-term and longterm memory [4,5]. Prevalence of auditory processing deficits vary considerably depending on severity, other comorbid health conditions, effect of hearing sensitivity, cognitive impairments, etc. Prevalence of auditory processing deficits vary considerably depending on severity, other comorbid health conditions, effect of hearing sensitivity, cognitive impairments, etc. [6]

Discussion

Conclusion