The characteristics of hearing loss in outpatients with tinnitus over the age of 60: a 11-year cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Presbycusis with tinnitus has a significant impact on the quality of life of elderly patients, becoming a serious socioeconomic problem. OBJECTIVES: We conducted an 11-year cross-sectional analysis of the audiometry results of elderly patients with tinnitus from 2011 to 2021. METHODS: 9642 patients aged 60 and over were divided into three groups: young-old (YO) (60-74), old-old (OO) (75-89), and longevous (LON) (90 and over). Pure-tone audiometry results of all patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 9642 patients, the cases of female with tinnitus were more than male in all years. The hearing curve showed a typical age-related decline. Hearing level of air conduction in female declined significantly at low frequencies while that of male was worse at high frequencies in YO and OO groups. Compared with right, left hearing level of air conduction was significantly decreased at all frequencies except 0.125 kHz. CONCLUSIONS: When the chief complaint was tinnitus, women were likely to experience more distress than men. However, men suffered from more hearing loss than women, at least in high frequencies. The influence weight of presbycusis and tinnitus on the auditory cortices might be a possible reason for the lateral distinction of hearing loss at different ages.

Impact of Hearing Aids on Progression of Cognitive Decline, Depression, and Quality of Life Among People with Cognitive Impairment and Dementia.

BACKGROUND: Hearing loss is common in people with dementia (PwD) and a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. Recent studies revealed that hearing loss could cause social isolation and depression, which is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, there is a lack of knowledge about the impact of the utilization of hearing aids on these outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether hearing aids use might be positively associated with the progression of cognitive function, depression, and HRQoL among PwD. METHODS: We analyzed two-year follow-up data from 258 PwD (≥70 years, living at home). Cognitive decline was measured with Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), depression using Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and HRQoL with Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease Scale (QoL-AD). The impact of hearing aid utilization on the progression of outcomes was assessed using multivariate regression models. RESULTS: 123 patients had hearing loss (47.7%), from which n = 54 (43.9%) used hearing aids. Patients with hearing loss were older and had a lower HRQoL than those without hearing loss. Use of hearing aids in patients with hearing loss was associated with a lower increase in depressive symptoms (b = -0.74, CI95 -1.48 --0.01, p = 0.047) over time as compared to those not using hearing aids. There was no effect on PwD's cognition, and the association with higher HRQoL was significant after one, but not consistently over two years. CONCLUSION: Early detection and intervention of presbycusis using hearing aids might improve mental health and HRQoL in dementia.

Hearing Loss in Exfoliation Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if exfoliation syndrome (XFS) is associated with hearing loss (HL) or vestibular dysfunction. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library through April 1, 2022. REVIEW METHODS: Two reviewers independently screened abstracts, selected articles for inclusion, and extracted data. Studies included for qualitative analysis conducted audiometric, tympanometric, or vestibular evaluations on all subjects. RESULTS: Twenty-one publications (1148 patients with XFS and 1212 controls) were included in the systematic review, and 16 publications (968 patients with XFS and 1147 controls) in the meta-analysis. Greater severity of HL was seen for patients with XFS compared to controls across all frequencies (odds ratio [OR] 8.8 [7.3-10.2]). Patients with XFS were more likely to have moderate to profound sensorineural HL (OR 1.8 [1.3-2.5]), and less likely to have none to mild HL (OR 0.34 [0.17-0.67]) or no HL (OR 0.37 [0.28-0.50]). Three studies found patients with XFS had lower tympanometric peaks. Two studies found that abnormal vestibular testing results could be more common for patients with XFS. CONCLUSIONS: HL is associated with XFS. A sensorineural component to HL is confirmed, and mixed HL is possible. Given the high prevalence and infrequent diagnosis of XFS, the authors hypothesize that the current understandings of presbycusis might be improved by further investigation in XFS. Laryngoscope, 133:1025-1035, 2023.

Association of Age-Related Hearing Impairment With Physical Functioning Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the US.

Importance: Hearing impairment, a common treatable condition, may contribute to poorer physical function with aging. Objective: To assess whether hearing impairment is associated with poorer physical function, reduced walking endurance, and faster decline in physical function. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cohort study, cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed using data from the 2011 to 2019 period of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, a population-based study of community-dwelling adults at 4 sites in the US. Exposures: Hearing thresholds (per 10 dB) assessed with pure tone audiometry and categorized as normal hearing or mild, moderate, or severe hearing impairment. Main Outcomes and Measures: Physical function was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB), with composite scores ranging from 0 to 12. A composite score of 6 or less and a score for each component (balance, gait speed, and chair stands) of 2 or less indicated poor performance. Walking endurance was assessed using a 2-minute fast-paced walk test. Tobit regression models adjusted for sociodemographic factors and medical history were used to calculate the mean differences in SPPB composite scores; logistic regression models, to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) of low SPPB composite and component scores; and linear mixed-effects models, to estimate the mean rate of change in SPPB composite scores over time. Results: Of the 2956 participants (mean [SD] age, 79 [4.6] years) who attended study visit 6 between 2016 and 2017, 1722 (58.3%) were women, and 2356 (79.7%) were White. As determined by pure tone audiometry, 973 (33%) participants had normal hearing, 1170 (40%) had mild hearing impairment, 692 (23%) had moderate hearing impairment, and 121 (4%) had severe hearing impairment. In the Tobit regression model, severe hearing impairment was associated with a lower mean SPPB score (ß, -0.82; 95% CI, -0.34 to -1.30) compared with normal hearing. In fully adjusted logistic regression models, hearing impairment was associated with higher odds of low physical performance scores (severe impairment vs normal hearing: OR for composite physical performance, 2.51 [95% CI, 1.47-4.27]; OR for balance, 2.58 [95% CI, 1.62-4.12]; OR for gait speed, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.03-4.33]). Over time (2 to 3 visits; maximum, 8.9 years), participants with hearing impairment had faster declines in SPPB compared with those with normal hearing (moderate hearing impairment × time interaction, -0.34 [-0.52 to -0.16]). In adjusted models for walking endurance, participants with moderate or severe hearing impairment walked a mean distance of -2.81 m (95% CI, -5.45 to -0.17 m) and -5.31 m (95% CI, -10.20 to -0.36 m) than those with normal hearing, respectively, during the 2-minute walk test. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, hearing impairment was associated with poorer performance, faster decline in physical function, and reduced walking endurance. The results of the longitudinal analysis suggest that hearing impairment may be associated with poorer physical function with aging. Whether management of hearing impairment could delay decline in physical function requires further investigation.

Evaluation of the vestibular system in individuals with presbycusis using video head impulse test and videonystagmography.

BACKGROUND: Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function is expected to be normal in patients with presbycusis during sudden head rotations. AIM: This study aimed to determine whether presbycusis was accompanied by vestibular system pathologies. In addition, it was examined whether there was a difference existed between the patients with and without presbycusis in terms of normative data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 individuals were included in the study: 20 in the presbycusis group and 20 in the control group. The vestibular systems of both groups were evaluated using the video head impulse test and videonystagmography. RESULTS: The right and left lateral VOR gain values were decreased in the group with presbycusis compared to the control group. The difference between the two groups in the mean VOR gains in the right lateral canal and left lateral canal were statistically significant (p = .040 and p = .050, respectively). The air caloric tests of all individuals were found to be normal. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that the loss of vestibular hair cells and vestibular nerve degeneration in the lateral semicircular canal may be more severe in presbycusis than in the same age group with normal hearing.

Osteoporosis and hearing loss: findings from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2011 / Osteoporose e perda auditiva: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional do Exame de Saúde e Nutrição da Coreia de 2009 a 2011

Abstract Introduction: Age-related hearing impairment is the most common sensory dysfunction in older adults. In osteoporosis, the mass of the ossicles will be decreased, affecting the bone density of the cochlea, and interfering with the sound transmission to the cochlea. Age related hearing loss might be closely related to osteoporosis. Objective: To determine the relationship between age-related hearing impairment and osteoporosis by investigating the relationship between hearing loss and cortical bone density evaluated from femur neck bone mineral density. Methods: We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine the associations between osteoporosis and age-related hearing impairment from 2009 to 2011. Total number of participants was 4861 including 2273 men and 2588 women aged 50 years or older. Osteoporosis was defined as a bone mineral density 2.5 standard deviations below according to the World Health Organization diagnostic classification. Age-related hearing impairment was defined as the pure-tone averages of test frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz at a threshold of 40 dB or higher on the more impaired hearing side. Results: Total femur T-score (p < 0.001), lumbar-spine T-score (p < 0.001) and, femur neck T-score (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the osteoporosis group compared to the normal group. Thresholds of pure-tone averages were significantly different in normal compared to osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups. In addition, there were significantly higher pure-tone averages thresholds in the osteoporosis group compared to other groups (p < 0.001). After adjusting for all covariates, the odds ratio for hearing loss was significantly increased by 1.7 fold with reduced femur neck bone mineral density (p < 0.01). However, lumbar spine bone mineral density was not statistically associated with hearing loss (p = 0.22). Conclusion: Our results suggest that osteoporosis is significantly associated with a risk of hearing loss. In addition, femur neck bone mineral density was significantly correlated with hearing loss, but lumbar spine bone mineral density was not.

Resumo Introdução: A perda auditiva associada ao envelhecimento é a disfunção sensorial mais comum em idosos. Na osteoporose, a massa dos ossículos diminui e afeta a densidade óssea da cóclea, o que irá interferir na transmissão do som para a mesma. A perda auditiva associada à idade pode estar intimamente relacionada à osteoporose. Objetivo: Determinar a relação entre deficiência auditiva relacionada à idade e osteoporose, investigar a relação entre perda auditiva e densidade óssea cortical avaliada a partir da densidade mineral óssea do colo do fêmur. Método: Utilizamos dados da Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey para examinar as associações entre osteoporose e perda auditiva associada ao envelhecimento de 2009 a 2011. O número total de participantes foi de 4.861, incluiu 2.273 homens e 2.588 mulheres com 50 anos ou mais. A osteoporose foi definida como densidade mineral óssea com 2,5 desvios-padrão abaixo da média, de acordo com a classificação diagnóstica da Organização Mundial da Saúde. A perda auditiva associada ao envelhecimento foi definida como as médias de tom puro das frequências de teste de 0,5, 1, 2 e 4 kHz a um limiar de 40 dB ou superior no lado da audição mais afetado. Resultados: O T-score total do fêmur (p < 0,001), o T-score da coluna lombar (p < 0,001) e o T-score do colo do fêmur (p < 0,001) foram significantemente menores no grupo com osteoporose em comparação ao grupo normal. Os limiares de médias de tom puro foram significantemente diferentes nos grupos normais em comparação com aqueles com osteopenia e osteoporose. Além disso, houve limiares significantemente maiores de médias de tom puro no grupo com osteoporose em comparação com os outros grupos (p < 0,001). Após o ajuste para todas as covariáveis, a odds ratio da perda auditiva mostrou estar significantemente aumentada em 1,7 vez com densidade mineral óssea reduzida no colo do fêmur (p < 0,01). No entanto, a densidade mineral óssea da coluna L não se associou estatisticamente à perda auditiva (p = 0,22). Conclusão: Nossos resultados sugerem que a osteoporose está significantemente associada ao risco de perda auditiva. Além disso, a densidade mineral óssea da coluna lombar não se correlacionou com a perda auditiva, apenas a densidade mineral óssea do colo do fêmur foi significantemente correlacionada.

Subclinical Hearing Loss is Associated With Depressive Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the relationship between hearing and depressive symptoms is present among older adults classified as normal hearing (≤25 dB). DESIGN: Cross-sectional epidemiologic study (Hispanic Community Health Study). SETTING: US multicentered. PARTICIPANTS: Adults ≥50 years old (n = 5,499) with normal hearing or hearing loss (HL). MEASUREMENTS: The primary exposure was hearing, defined continuously by the 4-frequency pure-tone average threshold (dB) on audiometry. Hearing was additionally categorized into normal hearing (≤25 dB) and HL (>25 dB). The main outcome was depressive symptoms, measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-10 (CESD-10). Depressive symptoms were defined both continuously and binarily (where CESD-10 ≥10 was categorized as clinically significant depressive symptoms). Multivariable linear, logistic, and generalized additive modeling (GAM) regressions were performed. RESULTS: Among those with normal hearing, the CESD-10 score increased by 1.04 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70, 1.37) for every 10 dB decrease in hearing, adjusting for age, gender, education, cardiovascular disease, and hearing aid use. Among those with HL, the CESD-10 score increased by 0.62 points (95% CI: 0.23, 1.01) for every 10 dB decrease in hearing, adjusting for the same confounders. Similar findings were noted when the outcome was clinically significant depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio: 1.28 [1.14, 1.44] in normal hearing versus 1.26 [1.11, 1.44] in HL). In certain sensitivity analyses, the relationship between hearing and depressive symptoms was significantly stronger among those with normal hearing than in those with HL. CONCLUSION: The relationship between hearing and clinically significant depressive symptoms is present among older adults with normal hearing (<25 dB). We introduce the term subclinical HL as imperfect hearing that is classically defined as normal (1-25 dB). The relationship between hearing and late life depressive symptoms may be more sensitive than previously recognized.

Osteoporosis and hearing loss: findings from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2011.

INTRODUCTION: Age-related hearing impairment is the most common sensory dysfunction in older adults. In osteoporosis, the mass of the ossicles will be decreased, affecting the bone density of the cochlea, and interfering with the sound transmission to the cochlea. Age related hearing loss might be closely related to osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between age-related hearing impairment and osteoporosis by investigating the relationship between hearing loss and cortical bone density evaluated from femur neck bone mineral density. METHODS: We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine the associations between osteoporosis and age-related hearing impairment from 2009 to 2011. Total number of participants was 4861 including 2273 men and 2588 women aged 50 years or older. Osteoporosis was defined as a bone mineral density 2.5 standard deviations below according to the World Health Organization diagnostic classification. Age-related hearing impairment was defined as the pure-tone averages of test frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, and 4kHz at a threshold of 40dB or higher on the more impaired hearing side. RESULTS: Total femur T-score (p<0.001), lumbar-spine T-score (p<0.001) and, femur neck T-score (p<0.001) were significantly lower in the osteoporosis group compared to the normal group. Thresholds of pure-tone averages were significantly different in normal compared to osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups. In addition, there were significantly higher pure-tone averages thresholds in the osteoporosis group compared to other groups (p<0.001). After adjusting for all covariates, the odds ratio for hearing loss was significantly increased by 1.7 fold with reduced femur neck bone mineral density (p<0.01). However, lumbar spine bone mineral density was not statistically associated with hearing loss (p=0.22). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that osteoporosis is significantly associated with a risk of hearing loss. In addition, femur neck bone mineral density was significantly correlated with hearing loss, but lumbar spine bone mineral density was not.

Age-related Hearing Loss Is Strongly Associated With Cognitive Decline Regardless of the APOE4 Polymorphism.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between hearing impairment and cognitive decline and to identify possible risk factors for presbycusis. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey in prospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 322 participants aged >60 years, for whom all the below data were available, were enrolled in the study. There were 168 females and 154 males with a median age of 71 years (range: 60-89 yrs). INTERVENTIONS: PROST (Project in Sado for Total Health), a medical database in Sado island Japan, was analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data on pure-tone audiometry, mini-mental state examination (MMSE), polymorphism of apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, and alcohol consumption were extracted. Hearing impairment was defined as an average frequency between 0.25 and 8 kHz that exceeded 30 dB. Multivariate analysis was used to identify which of the above factors could predict the hearing impairment. Hearing threshold of each Hz was compared between the ApoE4 (+/+), (+/-), and (-/-) groups. RESULTS: Among various factors, only low MMSE scores (<24) showed significant association with hearing impairment. There were no differences in the hearing threshold of all frequencies between ApoE status groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing impairment was associated with low MMSE sores, regardless of the ApoE4 status. If ApoE4 status would be a common upstream predictor for both the hearing and cognitive impairment, hearing threshold would be related to ApoE4 status. However, these results may suggest that hearing impairment may be causally related to the cognitive dysfunction, perhaps via the cognitive load mechanisms.

The Relationship between Age-Related Hearing Loss and Cognitive Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Although the rates of occurrence of age-related diseases, including presbycusis and cognitive disorders, have increased with an increase in the geriatric population, the relationship between these two conditions remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between presbycusis and cognitive disorder. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patient medical records was conducted at a single tertiary university hospital. This study enrolled 399 patients aged ≥65 years who were prescribed hearing aids for the chief complaint of hearing loss. For main outcomes and measures we used audiograms, the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS). RESULTS: Of the 399 patients who were prescribed hearing aids for presbycusis, 45 (11.3%) had dementia and 354 (88.7%) did not have dementia. When the cognitive disorder group was divided into mild (1-4) and severe (5-7) subgroups based on the GDS scores, the threshold of hearing loss was significantly higher in the severe group than in the mild group (p < 0.05). The prevalence of dementia was significantly higher in patients with hearing loss for ≥10 years than in patients with hearing loss for <10 years (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Presbycusis and cognitive disorder are correlated. More severe and prolonged hearing loss is associated with a higher prevalence of cognitive disorder.

[Hearing loss in adults in older age groups.]

There has been a steady increase in the prevalence of hearing loss among people in many countries around the world. One of the main reasons for this negative trend is an increase in life expectancy and an increase in the proportion of the elderly people, which means an increase in the number of people with age-related changes in the auditory system (presbycusis). Aging is accompanied primarily by damage to the structures of the inner ear, but it can also affect the central parts of the auditory analyzer, causing frustration at all levels of the auditory neural pathway. Presbycusis is accompanied by impaired hearing and speech intelligibility. Along with speech hearing, spatial hearing suffers. Just as in other countries of the world, in Russia the prevalence of age-related hearing loss is increasing year by year. The data on the prevalence of hearing impairment in the Russian Federation vary, due to the lack of uniform approaches to the registration of persons with hearing impairment. Creation of a surdologic register is necessary for information support of complex medical and social rehabilitation of surdological patients. Since hearing loss has a significant negative impact on the quality of life of patients, knowledge of the prevalence of hearing disorders among the population will allow to plan properly the need for technical means of hearing and speech rehabilitation at the state level, to promote social rehabilitation and active longevity of citizens of older age groups.

[Study on the relationship between age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment. Methods: 201 elderly patients, who were admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Peking University People's Hospital from March 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017, were evaluated with hearing screening and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale. Among them, 101 were female and 100 were male, aged 60-90 years old. Taking the cognitive level as the dependent variable, and taking the age, sex, education, occupation, marital status, residence, and average hearing loss (average hearing threshold of 500, 1 000, 2 000, and 4 000 Hz), as well as the length of conscious hearing loss as the independent variables, the single factor analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to screen the main factors affecting the cognitive level of the elderly. Results: Of the 201 elderly patients, 39 had normal hearing, 65 had mild hearing loss, 80 had moderate hearing loss, 16 had severe hearing loss, and 1 had profound hearing loss. The average degree of hearing loss was the influencing factor of cognitive impairment, and it mainly affected the directional force and abstract ability in the cognitive domains (P<0.05); The age, self-reported hearing loss, years of education, marital status, past ear diseases, and hypertension were relatively independent factors that affected the cognitive level(P<0.05). Conclusions: Age-related hearing loss is the risk factor for the cognitive impairment, especially for abstraction and orientation, in the elderly. The self-reported hearing loss is an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment.

Prospective Evaluation of Cognitive Functions After Rehabilitation With Cochlear Implant or Hearing Aids: Preliminary Results of a Multicentric Study on Elderly Patients.

Objective Recent literature has shown a growing interest in the relationship between presbycusis and cognitive decline, but significant evidence about the long-term benefit of rehabilitation on cognitive functions has not been reported yet. The aim of the study was to analyze audiological and neuropsychological performances in patients with cochlear implant (CI) or hearing aids (HAs) over time. Materials and Method Forty-four bilaterally deaf patients aged more than 60 years (25 with CI candidacy and 19 with HA candidacy) were enrolled. Patients were subjected to audiological evaluation, to a battery of neuropsychological tests (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE], Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Task [RAVLT], Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure Test, Digit/Corsi Span Forward and Backward, Multiple Features Target Cancellation, Trail-Making Test, Stroop Test, and Phonological and Semantic Word Fluency), and to a quality of life assessment (Short Form 36, Glasgow Benefit Inventory, Glasgow Health Status Inventory) at the baseline and after a long-term follow-up (6-12 months). Results Speech recognition scores in quiet and in noise were significantly improved even 6 months after auditory rehabilitation. Significant differences between pre- and post-rehabilitation scores were reported in physical and emotional impacts in life, general global health, vitality, and social activities. MMSE and RAVLT scores were significantly improved in both groups after 6 months of follow-up, suggesting a global involvement of memory domain. Mnesic performances remained unchanged between the first and second follow-up, but a further significant improvement in executive functions (Stroop Test) was detected in patients with CI reevaluated 12 months after implantation. A significant correlation of the RAVLT with signal-to-noise ratio at +10 dB speech-in-noise scores and the MMSE with signal-to-noise ratio at 0 dB speech-in-noise scores suggests the pivotal role of executive functions in recognition in noisy environment. Conclusions Our preliminary data confirm that hearing deprivation in aged patients represents a truly modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, which can be positively faced by acoustic rehabilitation. The improvement of short- and long-term memory performances and the amelioration of executive and attentive functions suggest that hearing restoration with both HAs and CI may provide a recovery of superior cognitive domains probably through a reallocation of cortical resources altered by hearing deprivation.

Association of Audiometric Age-Related Hearing Loss With Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic Individuals.

Importance: Age-related hearing loss is highly prevalent and has recently been associated with numerous morbid conditions of aging. Late-life depression is also prevalent and can be resistant to available treatments. Preliminary studies examining the association between hearing loss and late-life depression have been limited by subjective hearing measures, small sample sizes, and primarily white populations. Objective: To assess whether a cross-sectional association exists between objective audiometric hearing loss and depressive symptoms in older Hispanic adults. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study uses 2008-2011 Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos data collected in Miami, Florida, San Diego, California, Chicago, Illinois, or the Bronx, New York, from 5328 Hispanic adults 50 years or older who had exposure, outcome, and covariate data. Data analyses were conducted from March 2018 to September 2018. Exposure: Audiometric hearing loss (pure-tone average). Main Outcomes and Measures: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, 10-item version (CESD-10) score of 10 or higher, which indicates clinically significant depressive symptoms. Results: The median age (interquartile range) of the 5328 participants was 58 (53-63) years, and 3283 participants (61.6%) were female. The mean (SD) CESD-10 score was 7.7 (6.4). Of the 5328 included participants, 1751 (32.9%) had clinically significant depressive symptoms. The odds of having these symptoms increased 1.44 (95% CI, 1.27-1.63) times for every 20 dB of hearing loss, adjusting for hearing aid use, age, sex, educational level, study site, geographic background, cardiovascular disease, and antidepressant use. Compared with those for individuals with normal hearing (0 dB), the odds of having clinically significant depressive symptoms was 1.81 (95% CI, 1.48-2.22) times as high in individuals with mild hearing loss (median threshold, 32.5 dB), 2.38 (95% CI, 1.77-3.20) times as high in individuals with moderate hearing loss (median threshold, 47.5 dB), and 4.30 (95% CI, 2.61-7.09) times as high in individuals with severe hearing loss (median threshold, 80 dB). Conclusions and Relevance: Objective hearing loss appears to be associated with clinically significant depressive symptoms in older Hispanic people, with greater hearing loss seemingly associated with greater odds of having depressive symptoms. Given the high prevalence of untreated hearing loss in older adults, hearing loss may be a potentially modifiable risk factor for late-life depression.

Association of Age-Related Hearing Loss With Cognitive Function, Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Epidemiologic research on the possible link between age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and cognitive decline and dementia has produced inconsistent results. Clarifying this association is of interest because ARHL may be a risk factor for outcomes of clinical dementia. Objectives: To examine and estimate the association between ARHL and cognitive function, cognitive impairment, and dementia through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Data Sources and Study Selection: A search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and SCOPUS from inception to April 15, 2016, with cross-referencing of retrieved studies and personal files for potentially eligible studies was performed. Keywords included hearing, cognition, dementia, and Alzheimer disease. Cohort and cross-sectional studies published in peer-reviewed literature and using objective outcome measures were included. Case-control studies were excluded. Data Extraction and Synthesis: One reviewer extracted and another verified data. Both reviewers independently assessed study quality. Estimates were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses of study-level characteristics were performed. Main Outcomes and Measures: Hearing loss measured by pure-tone audiometry only and objective assessment measures of cognitive function, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Cognitive function outcomes were converted to correlation coefficients (r value); cognitive impairment and dementia outcomes, to odds ratios (ORs). Results: Forty studies from 12 countries met our inclusion criteria. Of these, 36 unique studies with an estimated 20 264 unique participants were included in the meta-analyses. Based on the pooled maximally adjusted effect sizes using random-effects models, a small but significant association was found for ARHL within all domains of cognitive function. Among cross-sectional studies, a significant association was found for cognitive impairment (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.39-2.89) and dementia (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.24-4.72). Among prospective cohort studies, a significant association was found for cognitive impairment (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.09-1.36) and dementia (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.02-1.59) but not for Alzheimer disease (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 0.72-4.00). In further analyses, study, demographic, audiometric, and analyses factors were associated with cognitive function. Vascular dysfunction and impaired verbal communication may contribute to the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Conclusions and Relevance: Age-related hearing loss is a possible biomarker and modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Additional research and randomized clinical trials are warranted to examine implications of treatment for cognition and to explore possible causal mechanisms underlying this relationship.

Sensation and Psychiatry: Linking Age-Related Hearing Loss to Late-Life Depression and Cognitive Decline.

Recent research has linked age-related hearing loss to impaired performance across cognitive domains and increased risk for dementia diagnosis. The data linking hearing impairment to incident late-life depression are more mixed but suggest that diminished hearing does increase risk for depression. Behavioral mechanisms may explain these associations, such as the withdrawal of older adults from situations in which they may have difficulty hearing and communicating, which may contribute to the development of social isolation, loneliness, and consequent cognitive decline and depression. At a neural level, chronic hearing loss leads to reduced activation in central auditory pathways, resulting in compensatory increased activation in the cognitive control network, dysfunctional auditory-limbic connectivity, and deafferentation-induced atrophy in frontal brain regions. These pathologic changes decrease cognitive performance and increase depression risk by reducing cognitive reserve, increasing executive dysfunction, and disrupting normative emotion reactivity and regulation. Based on the available data and informed by this model, evidence-based suggestions are proposed for clinicians treating older adults, and a research agenda is advanced to facilitate the development of rationally designed and age-appropriate psychiatric treatments for older adults with age-related hearing loss. First and foremost, treating hearing loss should be investigated as a means of improving cognitive and depressive outcomes in well-designed studies incorporating comprehensive psychiatric assessments, randomization, objective documentation of compliance, and analyses of treatment mediators that will facilitate further therapeutic development. Multimodal neuroimaging studies integrating audiometric, neuropsychological, and clinical assessments also are needed to further evaluate the model proposed. [AJP at 175: Remembering Our Past As We Envision Our Future April 1995: Effect of Hearing Enhancement on Medical Status Ratings Twenty-one elderly psychiatric patients had lower levels of psychopathology when assessed while wearing hearing aids. (Am J Psychiatry 1995; 152:629-631 )].

[Speech intelligibility in noise at presbycusis]. / Rozumení reci v sumu u presbyakuze.

Evaluation of speech recognition is possible by presenting testing material in sentence form with presence of competitive noise. We developed new test of sentence intelligibility in noise in the Czech language. This article demonstrates results of the influence of the babble noise on sentence intelligibility in hearing impaired listeners with presbycusis. The time characteristics of babble noise are similar to human voice. That is the reason why this noise masking is more enhanced at the central hearing level than any other noise masking. A group of 423 persons was divided into younger group (age from 40 to 65 years, N = 191, mean age 55.8 years.) and older group (age from 66 to 85 years, N = 232, mean age 75.4 years). For these two age groups, we compared the test performance in the subgroups stratified by the speech audiometry in silence. We demonstrate a statistically significant worse understanding of sentences in the older group against the younger group listening to sentences at level 65 dB SPL in competitive noise at level 65 dB SPL (p = 0.05). The development of the sentence intelligibility in noise test increased the possibilities of audiological examination by another test, which was up to now missing in the Czech language.

Auditory Processing Abilities of Parkinson's Disease Patients.

Since Parkinson's Disease (PD) primarily affects older people, a majority of PD patients have age-related hearing loss (HL) that will worsen over time. The goal of this study was to assess peripheral and central auditory functions in a population of PD patients and compare the results with a group of age-matched control subjects. Study participants included 35 adults with PD (mean age = 66.9 ± 11.2 years) and a group of 35 healthy control subjects (mean age = 65.4 ± 12.3 years). Assessments included questionnaires, neuropsychological tests, audiometric testing, and a battery of central auditory processing tests. Both study groups exhibited patterns of sensorineural hearing loss (slightly worse in the PD group) which were typical for their age and would contribute to difficulties in communication for many participants. Compared to the control group, PD patients reported greater difficulty in hearing words people are speaking. Although 27 PD patients (77%) were good candidates for amplification, only 7 (26%) of these hearing aid candidates used the devices. Because it is important for PD patients to optimize communication with their family members, caregivers, friends, and clinicians, it is vital to identify and remediate auditory dysfunction in this population as early as possible.

The relationship between senile hearing loss and vestibular activity / Relação entre perda auditiva senil e atividade vestibular

Abstract Introduction: A considerable high number of SNHL patients also suffer from dizziness and related vestibular symptoms. Objective: To evaluate the association of vestibular dysfunction and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in adult patients. Methods: Prospective, double-blinded, controlled studies composed by 63 adult patients without any vestibular symptoms or diagnosed vestibular diseases. Audiological status was measured with pure tone audiometry and the vestibular system was tested with vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP). Patients were divided into two groups: a study group (patients with SNHL) and a control group (patients without SNHL). VEMP results of the groups were calculated and compared. Results: Mean P1 (23.54) and N1 (30.70) latencies were prolonged in the study group (p < 0.001) and the amplitudes of the study group were significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Both parameters of the VEMP test were abnormal in the study group when compared to the control group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that age-related SNHL may be accompanied by vestibular weakness without any possible predisposing factors for vestibulopathy.

Resumo Introdução: Um número considerável de pacientes com PANS também sofre de tonturas e sintomas vestibulares relacionados. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre disfunção vestibular e perda auditiva neurossensorial (PANS) em pacientes adultos. Método: Estudo prospectivo, duplo-cego e controlado com 63 pacientes adultos, sem quaisquer sintomas vestibulares ou doença vestibular diagnosticada. A audição foi avaliada por meio de audiometria tonal e o sistema vestibular, com potenciais evocados miogênicos vestibulares (PEMV). Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo de estudo (pacientes com PANS) e grupo de controle (pacientes sem PANS). Os resultados dos PEMV dos grupos foram calculados e comparados. Resultados: As latências médias de P1 (23,54) e N1 (30,70) encontravam-se prolongadas no grupo de estudo (p < 0,001), e as amplitudes no grupo de estudo estavam significantemente reduzidas (p < 0,001). Ambos os parâmetros do teste de PEMV foram anormais no grupo de estudo quando comparados aos do grupo controle. Conclusões: Nossas achados sugerem que a PANS relacionada à idade pode ser acompanhada por hipofunção vestibular, mesmo na ausência de possíveis fatores predisponentes para vestibulopatia.