Cognitive Flexibility and Inhibition in Individuals with Age-Related Hearing Loss

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests alterations in cognitive control processes in individuals with varying degrees of age-related hearing loss (ARHL); however, alterations in those with unaided mild ARHL are understudied. The current study examined two cognitive control processes, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition, in 21 older adults with unaided mild ARHL and 18 age- and education-matched normal hearing (NH) controls. All participants underwent comprehensive audiological and cognitive evaluations including Trail Making Test-B, Verbal Fluency, Stroop, and two Go/NoGo tasks. Group differences in cognitive flexibility and inhibition as well as associations between peripheral and central hearing ability and measures of cognitive flexibility and inhibition were investigated. Findings revealed that the ARHL group took significantly longer to complete the Stroop task and had higher error rates on NoGo trials on both Go/NoGo tasks relative to the NH controls. Additionally, poorer peripheral and central hearing were associated with poorer cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. Our findings suggest slower and more inefficient inhibitory control in the mild ARHL group relative to the NH group and add to decades of research on the association between hearing and cognition.

Hearing loss, depression, and cognition in younger and older adult CI candidates

“…None of the studies, with the exception of Tseng et al distinguished between primary and secondary depression, i.e., depression as a presumed consequence of hearing loss ( 58 ). In addition, several studies used verbal tasks, which may have confounded the results 5 ( 10 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 20 , 70 ). In addition, only some of the studies excluded individuals with suspected cognitive impairment or dementia ( 9 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 69 , 76 ).…”

“…In addition, several studies used verbal tasks, which may have confounded the results 5 ( 10 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 20 , 70 ). In addition, only some of the studies excluded individuals with suspected cognitive impairment or dementia ( 9 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 69 , 76 ). Very few authors ( 13 , 15 , 58 , 69 ) provide information on the time of onset of hearing loss (e.g., congenital hearing loss, hearing loss in adulthood).…”

“…In addition, only some of the studies excluded individuals with suspected cognitive impairment or dementia ( 9 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 69 , 76 ). Very few authors ( 13 , 15 , 58 , 69 ) provide information on the time of onset of hearing loss (e.g., congenital hearing loss, hearing loss in adulthood). Finally, it is important to remember that hearing loss can affect not only older adults but also younger adults ( 1 ).…”

“… 1 Better ear: Deal et al, Loughrey et al, Golub et al, Jiang et al, Nicolas et al, and Shende et al both ears Loughrey et al and Samelli et al ( 11 ) no information in the remaining studies ( 5 , 7 , 10 , 13 , 14 , 20 ). …”

“…Nevertheless, all p’s were significant. [Papers on smaller studies ( n = 39–119)] looking at the relationship between hearing thresholds and cognition are from Jayakody et al, Nixon et al, Ren et al, and Shende et al ( 6 , 9 , 12 , 13 ).…”