Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology (Jun 2011)

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

  • A Young Choi,
  • Hyun Joon Shim,
  • Sung Hee Lee,
  • Sang Won Yoon,
  • Eun-Jeong Joo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3342/ceo.2011.4.2.72
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 2
pp. 72 – 76

Abstract

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ObjectivesIn 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.MethodsParticipants 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.ResultsThere 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 (P0.05).ConclusionThe 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.

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