Brain Health, Cognition, and Audition-Brain Health, Cognition, and Audition Slides

Brain Health, Cognition, and Audition Slides

Pdf Summary

The presentation focuses on the relationship between hearing, cognition, and brain health. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between hearing and listening, as well as the role of the brain in perceiving and comprehending sound. The inability to understand speech in noise is highlighted as the most common complaint among people seeking help from healthcare professionals. Various studies demonstrate that age-related changes in cognition can impact speech perception in older adults and that hearing difficulties can often be misinterpreted as cognitive problems. The link between hearing loss and cognitive decline, including dementia, is discussed, and it is emphasized that hearing aid use can attenuate cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss. The relevance of speech-in-noise tests and cognitive screenings in audiology practice is emphasized, and audiologists are encouraged to recognize potential cases of mild cognitive impairment early to provide timely intervention. The role of amplification, such as hearing aids, in improving cognitive screening test scores is also discussed. The presentation concludes with suggestions for programming hearing aids for individuals with neurocognitive disorders and the need for a holistic approach to patient management that includes aural rehabilitation, speech-language pathology, and addressing modifiable risk factors. The importance of continued education and training for audiologists in recognizing cognitive abnormalities in older clients is highlighted.

Keywords

hearing

cognition

brain health

speech in noise

age-related changes

cognitive decline

hearing loss

hearing aids

audiology practice

cognitive abnormalities