University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia.
Acta Clin Croat. 2022 Oct;61(Suppl 4):47-55. doi: 10.20471/acc.2022.61.s4.6.
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.
老年人中听力障碍和认知能力下降的人数有所增加。由于听觉系统和中枢神经系统是相连的，因此与衰老相关的病理变化会同时发生在这两个层面上。随着助听技术的发展，这些患者的生活质量可以得到改善。本研究旨在确定佩戴助听器是否会对认知能力和耳鸣产生影响。目前的研究并未显示这些因素之间存在明确的联系。本研究涉及 44 名感音神经性听力损失患者。他们被分为两组，每组 22 人，根据他们是否以前使用过助听器。认知能力评估通过 MoCA 问卷进行，耳鸣对日常生活的影响通过耳鸣残疾量表（THI）和爱荷华耳鸣残疾问卷（ITHQ）进行评估。助听器状态被归类为主要结果，而认知评估和耳鸣强度则是关联变量。我们的研究表明，与未使用助听器的患者相比，助听器使用时间较长与命名能力较差（p=0.030，OR 4.734）、延迟回忆能力较差（p=0.033，OR 4.537）和空间定向能力较差（p=0.016，OR 5.773）之间存在关联，而耳鸣与认知障碍无关。基于这些结果，我们可以强调听觉系统作为中枢神经系统输入源的重要性。这些数据指导我们改善患者听力和认知能力的康复策略。这种方法可以提高患者的生活质量，防止认知能力进一步下降。
