The Relationship Between Hearing Loss and Cognitive Impairment in a Chinese Elderly Population: The Baseline Analysis

Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the association between untreated age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment in Mandarin-speaking older adults living in China.Methods: Older adults (293; 111 males, M = 70.33 ± 4.90 years; 182 females, M = 69.02 ± 4.08 years) were recruited. All participants completed a pure tone audiometric hearing assessment, Hearing Impairment-Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (HI-MoCA), and a computerized neuropsychology test battery (CANTAB). The Mandarin version of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale was used to measure the loneliness, and the Mandarin version of the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to measure the current severity of a range of symptoms common to depression, stress, and anxiety of the participants.Results: A multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the average of four mid-frequency thresholds in the better ear was related to CANTAB Paired Associates Learning (β = 0.20, p = 0.002), and the global cognitive function score (HI-MoCA) (β = −0.25, p < 0.001). The average of three high frequencies in the better ear was significantly associated with CANTAB Delayed Matching to Sample (β = −0.16, p = 0.008), and Spatial Working Memory (β = 0.17, p = 0.003).Conclusion: The results revealed a significant relationship between age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment in Mandarin-speaking older adults. These research outcomes have clinical implications specifically for hearing health care professionals in China and other populations that speak a tonal language, especially when providing hearing rehabilitation.

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Interprofessional Education Activity to Improve Communication With Older Adults With Hearing Loss

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.011 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 4-4

Author(s):

Laura Gaeta ◽

Tara Sharpp

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Interprofessional Education ◽

Complex Case ◽

Evaluation Data ◽

Age Related ◽

Before And After ◽

Education Activity ◽

Age Related Hearing Loss

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine how an interprofessional education (IPE) intervention with Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSAD) and Nursing students can affect their ability to communicate effectively with older adults who have hearing loss. As the older adult demographic increases, healthcare professionals must provide competent care, which includes effectively managing hearing-related communication difficulties in an increasingly diverse population. Faculty received IRB approval to conduct a descriptive mixed-methods study to determine knowledge and satisfaction of students completing an IPE activity. Students were divided into teams of CSAD and Nursing students. Students listened to a brief presentation on IPE before they were introduced to a complex case study of an 84-year-old male with age-related hearing loss. We administered a knowledge assessment questionnaire (KAQ) we created regarding communication with older adults before and after the activity. A total of 92 participants in the two programs (n=36 CSAD, n=56 Nursing) completed the KAQ before and after the activity and an evaluation with a Likert-type scale and open-ended questions. CSAD students scored significantly higher than Nursing students on the KAQ at baseline (F=25.69, p<0.001) and KAQ scores increased significantly (F=57.04, p<0.001) among both groups from pretest to posttest. The evaluation data indicated students were able to learn other perspectives and found the experience valuable. Based on the improvement in scores on the KAQ and evaluation data, this IPE activity increased knowledge related to communication with older adults with hearing loss and awareness of the roles of other professions.

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Hearing impairments and their treatments

Oxford Textbook of Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1093/med/9780198701590.003.0152 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 1171-1176

Author(s):

Sara K. Mamo ◽

Theresa H. Chisolm ◽

Frank R. Lin

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Primary Care ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Side Effect ◽

Care Management ◽

Geriatric Care ◽

Hearing Impairments ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Hearing Loss ◽

Primary Care Management

Hearing loss is highly prevalent and increases as a function of age. Although hearing loss affects many aspects of ageing and communication, it is often overlooked and treated as a rather inconsequential side effect of ageing. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce age-related hearing loss, the broader implications of age-related hearing loss as it relates to healthy ageing, and practical strategies for primary care management of hearing loss. A majority of the cases of age-related hearing loss remain untreated. Primary and/or geriatric care clinics may serve as the entry point for many older adults with hearing loss. Including questions about hearing loss or screening for hearing loss at other health encounters may increase access for older adults to hearing loss treatment.

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Prevalence of age-related hearing loss, including sex differences, in older adults in a large cohort study

The Laryngoscope ◽

10.1002/lary.26150 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 127 (3) ◽

pp. 725-730 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

Nienke C. Homans ◽

R. Mick Metselaar ◽

J. Gertjan Dingemanse ◽

Marc P. van der Schroeff ◽

Michael P. Brocaar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Large Cohort ◽

Age Related ◽

Large Cohort Study ◽

Age Related Hearing Loss

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Sensorial frailty: age-related hearing loss and the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in later life

Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease ◽

10.1177/2040622318811000 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 204062231881100 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Francesco Panza ◽

Madia Lozupone ◽

Rodolfo Sardone ◽

Petronilla Battista ◽

Marco Piccininni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Clinical Condition ◽

Oldest Old ◽

Population Based ◽

Older Age ◽

Age Related ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Age Related Hearing Loss

The peripheral hearing alterations and central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) associated with age-related hearing loss (ARHL), may impact cognitive disorders in older age. In older age, ARHL is also a significant marker for frailty, another age-related multidimensional clinical condition with a nonspecific state of vulnerability, reduced multisystem physiological reserve, and decreased resistance to different stressors (i.e. sensorial impairments, psychosocial stress, diseases, injuries). The multidimensional nature of frailty required an approach based on different pathogeneses because this clinical condition may include sensorial, physical, social, nutritional, cognitive, and psychological phenotypes. In the present narrative review, the cumulative epidemiological evidence coming from several longitudinal population-based studies, suggested convincing links between peripheral ARHL and incident cognitive decline and dementia. Moreover, a few longitudinal case-control and population-based studies also suggested that age-related CAPD in ARHL, may be central in determining an increased risk of incident cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Cumulative meta-analytic evidence confirmed cross-sectional and longitudinal association of both peripheral ARHL and age-related CAPD with different domains of cognitive functions, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia, while the association with dementia subtypes such as AD and vascular dementia remained unclear. However, ARHL may represent a modifiable condition and a possible target for secondary prevention of cognitive impairment in older age, social isolation, late-life depression, and frailty. Further research is required to determine whether broader hearing rehabilitative interventions including coordinated counseling and environmental accommodations could delay or halt cognitive and global decline in the oldest old with both ARHL and dementia.

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Prevalence of Age-Related Hearing Loss in Older Adults: Blue Mountains Study

Archives of Internal Medicine ◽

10.1001/archinternmed.2008.597 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 169 (4) ◽

pp. 415 ◽

Cited By ~ 95

Author(s):

Bamini Gopinath ◽

Elena Rochtchina ◽

Jie Jin Wang ◽

Julie Schneider ◽

Stephen R. Leeder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Blue Mountains ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Hearing Loss

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The Influence of Social Support and Coping on Quality of Life Among Elderly With Age-Related Hearing Loss

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2017_aja-16-0083 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 170-179 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sarah Moser ◽

Wolfgang Luxenberger ◽

Wolfgang Freidl

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

World Health ◽

Age Related ◽

Health Organization ◽

Age Related Hearing Loss

Purpose The consequences of hearing loss hinder the everyday life of older adults and are associated with reduced well-being. The research aim was to explore the influence of hearing problems, various coping strategies, and perceived social support on quality of life. Method Sixty-five older adults with age-related hearing loss (≥55 years) in Austria participated and completed a paper–pencil survey with standardized questionnaires: Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (Ventry and Weinstein, 1982), Assessment for Coping and Stress (Laireiter, 1997), short form of the Social Support Questionnaire (Fydrich, Sommer, Tydecks, & Brähler, 2009), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale–Brief Version (World Health Organization, 1996). Results Quality of life was predicted by perceived social support and the number of comorbid diseases (i.e., the physical, psychological, environmental, and social quality of life was better the greater the extent of perceived social support and poorer the more diseases from which the participants suffered). Conclusions Perceived social support may be a relevant factor to focus on in auditory rehabilitation programs, in particular, for participants who communicate little support in hearing-related situations and are, hence, at a relative disadvantage. The involvement of significant others in counseling could facilitate the everyday life for older adults with age-related hearing loss and their significant others.

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Multidimensional Risk Factors of Age-Related Hearing Loss Among Malaysian Community‐Dwelling Older Adults

Clinical Interventions in Aging ◽

10.2147/cia.s340432 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol Volume 16 ◽

pp. 2033-2046

Author(s):

Theng Choon Ooi ◽

Wan Syafira Ishak ◽

Razinah Sharif ◽

Suzana Shahar ◽

Nor Fadilah Rajab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Hearing Loss ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Working while Caring for Older Adults with Hearing Impairment and Dementia: Evidence from the NSOC

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1689 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 436-436

Author(s):

Varshini Varadaraj ◽

Bonnielin Swenor ◽

Nicholas Reed ◽

Emmanuel Garcia Morales

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Hearing Impairment ◽

Labor Participation ◽

Additional Time ◽

Work Activities ◽

Care Recipients ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Hearing Loss

Abstract Age-related hearing loss (HL) and dementia are common among older adults. The implications of caregiving for older adults with dementia is documented. Whether the presence of HL modifies these association is unknown. We used data from the 2011 NHATS/NSOC. Hearing loss and dementia were identified among care recipients (CR). Our outcomes included: hours of care provided, and caregiver’s work activities. Among 1,013 caregivers, 456 assisted individuals without HL or dementia (HL-/D-), 229 with dementia (D+), 193 with HL, and 135 with HL and dementia (HL+/D+). In fully adjusted models, as compared to caregivers of HL-/D-, caregivers of D+ spent 39.1 hours more (95% CI: 13.6,64.6) in caregiving, caregivers of HL+/D+ spent 56.6 more hours (95% CI: 25.1,88.1). We found no differences in work activities between CR groups. The presence of HL increases the caregiving needs of adults with dementia. The additional time does not affect the labor participation of caregivers.

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The Role of the General Practitioner in Managing Age-Related Hearing Loss: A Scoping Review

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2020_aja-19-00090 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 265-289

Author(s):

Rebecca J. Bennett ◽

Nicole Conway ◽

Susan Fletcher ◽

Caitlin Barr

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

General Practitioner ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Research Activity ◽

Screening Programs ◽

Age Related ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Age Related Hearing Loss

Purpose The purpose of this review was to examine the research activity relating to the role of the general practitioner (GP) in managing age-related hearing loss in older adults. Method A literature search of peer-reviewed journal articles published in English was conducted in online bibliographic databases using multiple variations of the keywords “general practitioner” and “hearing.” Results The search strategy identified 3,255 articles. The abstracts of all articles were screened with 124 full-text records subsequently assessed for eligibility. Forty-nine articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Conclusions For people with hearing loss, the GP can play an instrumental role in guiding appropriate and timely choices for addressing hearing concerns. There are a range of quick, easy, and sensitive methods available to GPs to assist the objective evaluation of hearing. The evidence suggests that implementing hearing screening programs targeting older adults will increase rates of hearing loss detection and subsequently increase the number of patients receiving hearing loss intervention. Education and training appear key to improving GPs’ screening, management, and referral of patients with hearing loss in the primary health care setting.

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