Abstract
Studies have shown that elderly people with cognitive impairments benefit more from hearing aids with slower recovery times. ObjectiveTo study participation constraints and speech recognition in noise of elderly subjects equipped with hearing aids of different recovery times according to cognitive impairment status. MethodFifty subjects aged between 60 and 80 years were followed for four months. They were divided at first in groups of individuals without (G1; n = 24) and with (G2; n = 26) cognitive impairment based on results of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive Sub-scale test. Half the members of each group received hearing aids with faster recovery times and half got slower recovery aids, thus forming four groups: two without cognitive impairment (faster recovery - G1F; slower recovery - G1S) and two suspected for cognitive impairment (faster recovery - G2F; slower recovery - G2S). All subjects were interviewed, submitted to basic audiological assessment, asked to answer the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly questionnaire, and tested for speech recognition in noise. ANOVA, McNemar's test, and the Chi-square test were applied. The significance level was set at 5%. ResultsThere was significant improvement in participation constraint and speech recognition in noise with hearing aids alone. Sub-group G2F needed more favorable signal-to-noise ratios to recognize 50% of the speech in noise. ConclusionParticipation constraint and speech recognition in noise were improved regardless of recovery times or cognitive impairment status.
Highlights
One of the most prevalent disorders among the aging population is presbycusis
Significant differences were observed in the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) scores before and after nonlinear hearing aid fitting in all sub-groups four months into wearing the devices
This study found supporting evidences by using hearing aids as a form of auditory rehabilitation unaccompanied by other procedures such as formal auditory training
Summary
One of the most prevalent disorders among the aging population is presbycusis. Auditory function deterioration is one of the most severe impairments correlated to this process[1,2].Elderly subjects with presbycusis have reduced auditory sensitivity and compromised speech intelligibility. Auditory function deterioration is one of the most severe impairments correlated to this process[1,2]. The ensuing involvement of verbal communication skills may worsen overall quality of life[3]. This deterioration generates important sequelae, such as activity limitation and constrained participation in activities of daily living, leading to reduced socialization and, emotional alterations[4]. Another alteration frequently associated with aging is the impairment of cognitive processes such as memory, attention, perception, comprehension, problem solving, language, and others. Research indicates the existence of a significant correlation between hearing loss and cognitive performance in the elderly[5,6,7]
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