Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2011 Jun;4(2):72-76.

Is Cognitive Function in Adults with Hearing Impairment Improved by the Use of Hearing Aids?

• Choi AY
• Shim HJ
• Lee SH
• Yoon SW
• Joo EJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
In the present study, we investigated whether speech-related cognitive function and speech recognition ability under background noise in adults with hearing impairment are improved with the use of hearing aids.
METHODS
Participants were recruited from the ENT Department of Eulji Hospital from September 2008 to July 2009. The study group comprised 18 participants (mean age, 69.5+/-8.3 years) with sensorineural hearing loss who were fitted with hearing aids, and the control group comprised 11 participants of equivalent age (mean age, 63.1+/-11.8 years) who were not fitted with hearing aids. All participants were assessed using the computerized Korean visual verbal learning test (VVLT) and words-in-noise (WIN) test prior to fitting of hearing aids for the study group and initially for the control group. Both groups were reassessed in both tests after 6 months. For each group, differences in the results between the two assessments were compared using the Friedman test.
RESULTS
There was no difference in mean age between the study group and control group. In the study group, total VVLT score (reflecting short-term memory) was significantly improved from before hearing aid use to 6 months after hearing aid use (P<0.05), and VVLT recognition score (reflecting learning ability) was also significantly improved from before hearing aid use to 6 months after hearing aid use (P<0.05), but there was no change in the control group. For VVLT latency score (reflecting efficiency of memory) and speech discrimination score in the WIN test, no statistically significant difference was found between the initial and 6-month assessments in the study group or in the control group (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
The speech-related cognitive function of individuals with hearing impairment improved after using hearing aids. This finding indicates that hearing aids may induce acclimatization of the central auditory system.

Keyword

Cognition; Hearing aids; Hearing impairment; Speech; Memory; Noise

MeSH Terms

Acclimatization
Adult
Cognition
Hearing
Hearing Aids
Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Humans
Learning
Memory
Noise
Speech Perception
Verbal Learning

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Comparison of total scores between the study and control groups. After 6 months, the study group showed significant improvement in total score, from 32.7±8.3 to 38.5±11.8 (P<0.05), whereas the total score of the control group was unchanged.

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  Fig. 2 Comparison of recognition scores between the study and control groups. After 6 months, the study group showed significant improvement in recognition score, from 11.7±1.9 to 15.3±2.3 (P<0.05), whereas the recognition score of the control group was unchanged.

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  Fig. 3 Comparison of latency scores between the study and control groups. There was no significant change in latency score in either group after 6 months.

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  Fig. 4 Comparison of speech discrimination scores in the presence of background noise between the study and control groups. There was no significant change in speech discrimination score in the presence of background noise in either group after 6 months.

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