TY - JOUR
T1 - Does cognitive function in older adults with hearing impairment improve by hearing aid use?
AU - van Hooren, S. A. H.
AU - Anteunis, L. J. C.
AU - Valentijn, S. A. M.
AU - Bosma, H.
AU - Ponds, R. W. H. M.
AU - Jolles, J.
AU - van Boxtel, M. P. J.
PY - 2005/5
Y1 - 2005/5
N2 - In the present study, the effects of hearing aid use by hearing-impaired older individuals on different aspects of cognitive function, such as memory, attention, executive functioning, and processing speed, were investigated. Fifty-six participants (mean age = 72.5) who were fitted with hearing aids were compared with 46 control participants (mean age = 74.5) with an equivalent hearing impairment, but who were not fitted with a hearing aid. After a dual baseline measurement and fitting of the hearing aids, all participants were assessed again with neurocognitive tests after 12 months. While the participants with hearing aids had improved aided hearing thresholds, they did not demonstrate an improved performance on the cognitive tests compared to the controls. Thus improved hearing did not improve cognitive functioning. These findings may suggest that hearing aid use only restores impairments at the level of the sensory organ, but does not affect the central nervous system and, as a consequence, cognitive functioning. © 2005 British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society.
AB - In the present study, the effects of hearing aid use by hearing-impaired older individuals on different aspects of cognitive function, such as memory, attention, executive functioning, and processing speed, were investigated. Fifty-six participants (mean age = 72.5) who were fitted with hearing aids were compared with 46 control participants (mean age = 74.5) with an equivalent hearing impairment, but who were not fitted with a hearing aid. After a dual baseline measurement and fitting of the hearing aids, all participants were assessed again with neurocognitive tests after 12 months. While the participants with hearing aids had improved aided hearing thresholds, they did not demonstrate an improved performance on the cognitive tests compared to the controls. Thus improved hearing did not improve cognitive functioning. These findings may suggest that hearing aid use only restores impairments at the level of the sensory organ, but does not affect the central nervous system and, as a consequence, cognitive functioning. © 2005 British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=21344453541&origin=inward
UR - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16028789
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1080/14992020500060370
DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/14992020500060370
M3 - Article
C2 - 16028789
SN - 1499-2027
VL - 44
SP - 265
EP - 271
JO - International Journal of Audiology
JF - International Journal of Audiology
IS - 5
ER -