Peripheral Hearing Loss and Its Association with Cognition among Ethnic Chinese Older Adults

Introduction: Many studies on hearing loss (HL) and cognition are limited by subjective hearing assessments and verbally administered cognition tests, the majority of the document findings in Western populations. This study aimed to assess the association of HL with cognitive impairment among ethnic Chinese Singaporean older adults using visually presented cognitive tests. Methods: The hearing of community-dwelling older adults was assessed using pure tone audiometry. Cognitive function was assessed using the Computerized Cambridge Cognitive Test Battery (CANTAB). Multiple regression analyses examined the association between hearing and cognitive function, adjusted for age, education, and gender. Results: HL (pure-tone average [PTA] of thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz in the better ear, BE4PTA) was associated with reduced performance in delayed matching and multitasking tasks (β = −0.25, p = 0.019, and β = 0.02, p = 0.023, respectively). Moderate to severe HL was associated with reduced performance in delayed matching and verbal recall memory tasks (β = −10.6, p = 0.019, and β = −0.28, p = 0.042). High-frequency HL was associated with reduced performance in the spatial working memory task (β = 0.004, p = 0.022). All-frequency HL was associated with reduced performance in spatial working memory and multitasking (β = 0.01, p = 0.040, and β = 0.02, p = 0.048). Conclusion: Similar to Western populations, HL among tonal language-speaking ethnic Chinese was associated with worse performance in tasks requiring working memory and executive function.

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Longitudinal associations between hearing aid usage and cognition in community-dwelling Japanese older adults with moderate hearing loss

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0258520 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. e0258520

Author(s):

Saiko Sugiura ◽

Yukiko Nishita ◽

Yasue Uchida ◽

Mariko Shimono ◽

Hirokazu Suzuki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Pure Tone Average ◽

Time Interaction ◽

Picture Completion ◽

Moderate Hearing Loss

We investigated the associations between hearing aids (HA) and the maintenance of cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults with moderate hearing loss. A total of 407 participants aged 60 years or older with moderate hearing loss were recruited from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study for Aging (NILS-LSA). Moderate hearing loss was defined as a pure-tone average of 40–69 dB at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz of the better ear, according to the definition proposed by the Japan Audiological Society. Cognitive function was evaluated using the four subtests of the Japanese version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Short Forms (WAIS-R-SF): Information, Similarities, Picture completion, and Digit Symbol Substitution (DSST). A longitudinal analysis of 1192 observations with a mean follow-up period of 4.5 ± 3.9 years was performed. The HA use rate at any time during the follow-up period was 31.4%, and HA users were significantly younger (t-test, p = 0.001), had worse hearing (p < .0001) and higher education (p = 0.001), participated more frequently in the survey (p < .0001), and were less depressed (χ2 test, p = 0.003) than the older adults not using HA. General linear mixed models consisted of the fixed effects of HA use, follow-up time, and an HA use × time interaction term adjusted for age and pure-tone average thresholds at baseline, sex, education, and other possible confounders. HA use showed significant main effects on the scores for Picture completion and DSST after adjustment; scores were better in the HA use group than in the no HA use group. The HA use × time interaction was significant for the Information score (p = 0.040). The model-predicted 12-year slope with centralizing age indicated that the no HA use group showed greater decline over time on Information scores than did HA use group. The slopes did not differ between HA users and non-users for the Similarities, Picture completion and DSST. In conclusion, HA use may have a protective effect on the decline in general knowledge in older adults with moderate hearing loss.

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Do Communication Patterns Affect the Association between Cognitive Impairment and Hearing Loss among Older Adults in Vietnam?

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041603 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1603

Author(s):

Tran Dai Tri Han ◽

Keiko Nakamura ◽

Kaoruko Seino ◽

Vo Nu Hong Duc ◽

Thang Van Vo

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Vision Loss ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Communication Devices ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

This study examined the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older adults in central Vietnam and the roles of communication (with or without communication devices) in the association between cognitive impairment and hearing loss. This cross-sectional study was performed on 725 randomly selected community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years from Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. Participants attended a face-to-face survey. Sociodemographic characteristics, social interaction with or without communication devices, health status and cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination were reported. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to quantify the association between hearing loss and cognitive function by frequency of communication with and without devices. Mild and severe cognitive impairment had prevalence rates of 23.6% and 19.3%, respectively. Cognitive impairment was more prevalent among older adults with hearing-loss, vision loss and difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment was not significant when older adults had frequent communication with others using devices. This study presented the relatively high prevalence of cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults in Vietnam. Frequent communication using devices attenuated the association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment.

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Abstract 22: Visit-to-Visit Variability in Blood Pressure is Related to Late-Life Cognitive Decline

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.131.suppl_1.22 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 131 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Bo Qin ◽

Anthony J Viera ◽

Linda S Adair ◽

Brenda L Plassman ◽

Lloyd J Edwards ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cognitive Testing ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Nutrition Survey

Introduction: Recent studies suggest higher visit-to-visit variability of blood pressure (BP) is associated with worse cognitive function, but evidence based on longitudinal cognitive testing has not been reported. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that higher visit-to-visit variability in BP, but not mean BP, would be associated with faster decline in cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This prospective cohort study comprised 1213 adults who had two or more waves of BP measurements as part of the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1991, up to their first cognitive tests, and completed a cognitive screening test at two or more waves in 1997, 2000 or 2004. Mean (SD) age at first cognitive test was 64 (6) y. Outcomes were repeated measures of global cognitive scores (baseline mean ± SD: 19 ± 6 points), standardized composite cognitive and verbal memory scores (standardized units [SU]). Visit-to visit BP variability was expressed as the standard deviation [SD] or as the variation independent of mean (SD/mean^x, with x derived from curve fitting) in BP measures obtained at a mean interval of 3.6 years. Multivariable-adjusted linear mixed-effects models were used to determine the association of changes in cognitive scores with visit-to visit BP variability. Results: Higher visit-to-visit variability in systolic BP, but not mean systolic BP, was associated with a faster decline of cognitive function (adjusted mean difference [95% CI] for high vs. low tertile of SD in variability (Figure): global score -0.23 points/y [-0.41 to -0.04], composite scores -0.029 SU/y [-0.056 to -0.002] and verbal memory -0.044 SU/y [-0.075 to -0.012]). Higher visit-to-visit variability in diastolic BP was associated with a faster decline of global cognitive function only among adults 55-64 years, independent of mean diastolic BP. Conclusion: Higher long-term BP visit-to-visit variability predicted a faster rate of cognitive decline among older adults.

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Blood-Based Oxidative Stress Markers and Cognitive Performance in Early Old Age: The HAPIEE Study

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders ◽

10.1159/000450702 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 42 (5-6) ◽

pp. 297-309 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Pia Horvat ◽

Ruzena Kubinova ◽

Andrzej Pajak ◽

Abdonas Tamosiunas ◽

Ben Schöttker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Old Age ◽

Verbal Fluency ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Oxidative Stress Markers ◽

Stress Markers ◽

Early Old Age

Background/Aims: Oxidative stress is involved in Alzheimer disease pathology, but its impact on cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults remains unknown. We estimated associations between serum oxidative stress markers and cognitive function in early old age. Methods: Subjects aged 45-69 years recruited in urban centers in Central and Eastern Europe had memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed assessed at baseline (2002-2005) and 3 years later. Derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and total thiol levels (TTLs) were measured at baseline in a subsample. Linear regression was used to estimate associations of biomarkers with cognitive test scores cross-sectionally (n = 4,304) and prospectively (n = 2,882). Results: Increased d-ROM levels were inversely associated with global cognition and verbal fluency cross-sectionally and in prospective analysis; observed effects corresponded to 3-4 years' higher age. TTL was inconsistently associated with memory. BAP was not related to cognitive function. Conclusion: This study found modest evidence for a relationship between serum d-ROMs and cognitive function in a population sample of older adults.

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Simplified olfactory reminiscence to help maintain the mental health in community-dwelling older adults

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x21000076 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Hideaki Hanaoka ◽

Toshiaki Muraki ◽

Fumiko Kaneko ◽

Shingo Yamane ◽

Hitoshi Okamura

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of simplified reminiscence practice using olfactory stimuli on depression and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults in Japan. Accordingly, 61 individuals were randomly divided into two groups. In the intervention group, 12 sessions of reminiscence were performed using olfactory cards. In the control group, reminiscence sessions were similarly performed, but with language cards. The Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) was used to measure mental health status and the Five Cognitive Test was used to measure cognitive function at baseline and after completion of the intervention. The final sample included 27 participants in the intervention group and 23 participants in the control group. Basic characteristics of the participants at baseline were compared and a significant difference was observed between the two groups in age (p = 0.029). Repeated-measures analysis of covariance with age as the covariate revealed a significant interaction between time and group on the GDS-15 (p = 0.04). Furthermore, a before and after comparison using a paired t-test showed a significant difference only in the intervention group (p = 0.01). The results of this study suggest that simplified reminiscence practice using olfactory cards could serve as an intervention to help maintain the mental health of community-dwelling older adults.

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Family Relationships and Cognitive Function Among Community-Dwelling U.S. Chinese Older Adults

Research on Aging ◽

10.1177/0164027520939250 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 37-46

Author(s):

Mengting Li ◽

Man Guo ◽

Meredith Stensland ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Family Relationships ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Service Providers ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Sociocultural Factors ◽

Global Cognition

A broad literature has explored racial disparities in cognitive aging. Research incorporating sociocultural factors would provide a more comprehensive understanding of minority aging. This study aims to investigate the role of family typology in cognition among U.S. Chinese immigrants. Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE). Family typology included tight-knit, unobligated ambivalent, commanding conflicted, and detached typologies. Cognition was evaluated by global cognition, episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Linear and quantile regressions were used. Older adults with detached and commanding conflicted typologies reported lower global cognition than those with unobligated ambivalent typology. Detached, commanding conflicted, and tight-knit typologies were associated with poorer performance in episodic memory, working memory and MMSE than unobligated ambivalent typology, respectively. Social service providers could be aware of multifaceted family relationships when developing interventions for cognitive function and understand family typology as a whole.

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Association of Drug Burden Index With Measures of Cognitive Function Among Older Adults

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab033_011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 11-11

Author(s):

Janie DiNatale ◽

Kristi Crowe-White ◽

Amy Ellis ◽

Joy Douglas ◽

Ian McDonough ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Apoe Genotype ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽

Full Cohort ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Drug Burden Index ◽

Daily Dose

Abstract Objectives Many conditions associated with aging result in polypharmacy, and certain medications may impact cognition. One way to assess exposure to such medications is through the use of the drug burden index (DBI)- a validated measure of exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications, with a higher DBI score indicating a higher drug burden. The objective of this cross-sectional analysis was to investigate the association between DBI and cognitive function assessed by two widely utilized cognitive tests among older adults. Methods The Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study was a prospective study of community-dwelling adults ages 70–79 years at enrollment. Using baseline data, DBI was calculated by dividing the daily dose of the medication taken by the sum of the daily dose taken and the minimum efficacious dose as approved by the Food and Drug Association. After adjusting for biological sex, race, education, and APOE genotype, the association between DBI and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Modified Mini-Mental Status Exam (3MS) score was assessed by partial Spearman's rank correlation. Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed to assess significance among DBI scores by tertile. Results Among those with completed measures (n = 790, 52.4% male, 63.3% white), mean scores were as follows: DBI 0.84 ± 0.48, 3MS 90.12 ± 7.9, and DSST 34.7 ± 14.6. Results suggest that DBI was not significantly associated with either 3MS or DSST. However, DBI scores by tertile were significantly associated with DSST scores. Compared to tertile 2, participants in the lowest tertile had significantly lower DBI scores along with significantly higher DSST scores. Mean differences between tertile 1 and 2 were as follows: DBI = 0.1666 and DSST = 3.39. Conclusions Analyses among the full cohort suggest that DBI was not associated with slower processing speed as assessed by the DSST or with global cognition as assessed by 3MS. Yet with expanded analysis by tertile, results suggest that DBI scores were significantly associated with DSST scores. Future investigations on cognitive function among older adults may benefit from including the DBI analysis by tertile to explain some variance in cognitive test scores. Funding Sources This is an ancillary analysis, there is no funding applicable.

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THE EFFECTS OF HEARING LOSS AND MOBILITY DECLINE ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION OF OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3387 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S930-S931

Author(s):

Ryota Sakurai ◽

Hisashi Kawai ◽

Shuich Yanai ◽

Hunkyung Kim ◽

Hirohiko Hirano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Gait Velocity ◽

High Tone ◽

Functional Impairments ◽

Gait Performance ◽

Low Tone

Abstract Background: Both hearing loss and mobility decline are well-known risk factors of cognitive impairment among older adults. However, the effects of the accumulation of these functional impairments are still unclear. Thus, the present study examined whether the interactive effects of hearing loss and poor gait performance contribute to cognitive impairments. Methods: Hearing loss and gait performance were assessed in 716 community-dwelling older adults at baseline. Pure-tone audiometry was conducted to determine hearing loss at 1 (i.e., low tone) and 4 kHz (i.e., high tone). Poor gait performance was defined as the lowest quartile (fourth quartile) of age- and sex-appropriate mean gait velocity. Participants were then classified into four groups according to the presence of hearing loss and poor gait performance. Cognitive function was assessed using MMSE and MoCA at baseline and four years later. Results: Older adults who had either hearing loss (low or high tone) or poor gait performance showed lower MMSE and MoCA scores at baseline. Multiple regression models showed that hearing loss and poor gait performance at baseline were significantly associated with decreased cognitive function at follow-up. Among older adults with low tone hearing loss, absence of slow gait was not associated with decreased cognitive function. Conclusions: Our results indicate the possibility that hearing loss and slow gait synergistically increase the risk of cognitive impairment. The results also suggest that the effect of slow gait on cognition exceeds the effects of hearing loss, indicating the importance of maintaining mobility in late life.

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