Is hearing impairment by audiometry as much a cognitive score as cognitive domain batteries?

Abstract

To assess the relationship between hearing impairment by audiometry and cognitive domain scores. 124 clinic patients were categorized by screening audiometry into three groups. We examined 20 cognitive domain scores and eight composite scores. The severely impaired hearing group was non-significantly older, and had lower function and higher prevalence of dementia than other subjects. After Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons from P < 0.05 to P < 0.0014, the severely impaired hearing group had worse cognitive scores in 16 of 27 (59%) cognitive tests. Composite scores by cognitive domain tests passed were lowest for word-list memory (97% failed) followed by language (84%), attention (66%), visual intelligence (64%), and executive function (61%). Hearing impairment was conflated with 6 of 20 domain scores and two composite scores. Correlations to hearing were significant for age, function, and 21 of 22 cognitive domain scores.