Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2022.61.s4.6
Impact of Wearing Hearing Aids on Cognitive Abilities and Subjective Tinnitus in Patients with Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Pilot Study
Andro Košec
; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Nikola Erceg
; Health Center Vukovar, Vukovar, Croatia
Golda Grinblat
; Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
Anđela Nikolić Margan
; Policlinic for Rehabilitation of Hearing and Speech SUVAG, Zagreb, Croatia
Goran Geber
; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Mihael Ries
; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
There is an increased number of people with hearing impairment and decreased
cognitive abilities among the elderly population. Due to the fact that the auditory system and central
nervous system are connected, pathological changes associated with aging occur on both levels. With
the development of hearing aid technology, the quality of life of these patients can be improved. The
aim of this study was to determine whether wearing a hearing aid has an impact on cognitive abilities
and tinnitus. Current research does not show a clear connection between these factors. This study
involved 44 subjects with sensorineural hearing loss. They were divided into two groups of 22 people,
depending on whether they had previously used a hearing aid or not. Assessment of cognitive abilities
was performed via the MoCA questionnaire, and assessment of the impact of tinnitus on daily
activities was evaluated using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Iowa Tinnitus Handicap
Questionnaire (ITHQ). Hearing aid status was classified as a primary outcome, while cognitive
assessment and tinnitus intensity were associated variables. Our study showed an association between
longer hearing aid use and poorer naming ability (p = 0.030, OR 4.734), poorer delayed recall (p =
0.033, OR 4.537), and spatial orientation (p = 0.016, OR 5.773) when compared with patients who
had not used hearing aids, while tinnitus did not correlate with cognitive impairment. Based on the
results, we can emphasize the importance of the auditory system as an input source for the central
nervous system. The data direct us to improve the rehabilitation strategies for hearing and cognitive
abilities in patients. Such an approach results higher quality of life in patients and prevents further
cognitive decline.
Keywords
Cognition; Hearing aid; Sensorineural hearing loss; Tinnitus; Quality of life
Hrčak ID:
292362
URI
Publication date:
31.10.2022.
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