Associations of audiometric hearing and speech-in-noise performance with cognitive decline among older adults: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)

Kening Jiang; Kening Jiang; Nicole M. Armstrong; Nicole M. Armstrong; Yuri Agrawal; Alden L. Gross; Alden L. Gross; Jennifer A. Schrack; Jennifer A. Schrack; Frank R. Lin; Frank R. Lin; Frank R. Lin; Frank R. Lin; Luigi Ferrucci; Susan M. Resnick; Jennifer A. Deal; Jennifer A. Deal; Jennifer A. Deal; Danielle S. Powell

doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.1029851

Frontiers in Neurology (Dec 2022)

Associations of audiometric hearing and speech-in-noise performance with cognitive decline among older adults: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)

Kening Jiang,
Kening Jiang,
Nicole M. Armstrong,
Nicole M. Armstrong,
Yuri Agrawal,
Alden L. Gross,
Alden L. Gross,
Jennifer A. Schrack,
Jennifer A. Schrack,
Frank R. Lin,
Frank R. Lin,
Frank R. Lin,
Frank R. Lin,
Luigi Ferrucci,
Susan M. Resnick,
Jennifer A. Deal,
Jennifer A. Deal,
Jennifer A. Deal,
Danielle S. Powell

Affiliations

Kening Jiang: Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
Kening Jiang: Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
Nicole M. Armstrong: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
Nicole M. Armstrong: Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, United States
Yuri Agrawal: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
Alden L. Gross: Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
Alden L. Gross: Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
Jennifer A. Schrack: Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
Jennifer A. Schrack: Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
Frank R. Lin: Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
Frank R. Lin: Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
Frank R. Lin: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
Frank R. Lin: Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
Luigi Ferrucci: Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, United States
Susan M. Resnick: Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, United States
Jennifer A. Deal: Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
Jennifer A. Deal: Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
Jennifer A. Deal: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
Danielle S. Powell: Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.1029851
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13

Abstract

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BackgroundEstablished associations between hearing loss and cognitive decline were primarily defined by pure-tone audiometry, which reflects peripheral hearing ability. Speech-in-noise performance, which reflects central hearing ability, is more limited in prior literature. We examined the longitudinal associations of audiometric hearing and speech-in-noise performance with cognitive decline.MethodsWe studied 702 participants aged ≥60 years in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging 2012–2019. Global and domain-specific (language, memory, attention, executive function, visuospatial ability) cognitive performance were assessed by the cognitive assessment battery. Hearing thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kilohertz obtained from pure-tone audiometry were averaged to calculate better-ear pure-tone average (PTA) and participants were categorized as having hearing loss (>25 decibels hearing level [dB HL]) or normal hearing (≤25 dB HL). Speech-in-noise performance was assessed by the Quick Speech-in-Noise (QuickSIN) test, and participants were categorized as having below-median (worse) or above-median performance. Linear mixed effects models with random intercepts and slopes were used to assess baseline cognitive performance and cognitive decline by hearing status. Models adjusted for demographic, lifestyle and disease factors.ResultsParticipants with audiometric hearing loss showed similar baseline cognitive performance but faster decline in global cognitive function, language, executive function, and attention. Participants with below-median QuickSIN score showed worse baseline cognitive performance in all domains and faster decline in global cognitive function, language, memory, executive function and attention.ConclusionsAudiometric hearing might be targeted to delay cognitive decline. Speech-in-noise performance might be a novel marker and might be more sensitive to memory decline.

Published in Frontiers in Neurology

ISSN: 1664-2295 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry: Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/

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