The impact of early age-related hearing loss on working memory capacity and speech recognition in noise in middle-aged and older adults
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of age-related hearing loss (ARHL) on working memory capacity (WMC) and speech recognition in noise and their relationship in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Participants were divided into three groups: young adults with normal hearing, midd...
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Experimental Gerontology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556525001524 |
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| author | Chen-Wei Chang Yu-chun Chen |
| author_facet | Chen-Wei Chang Yu-chun Chen |
| author_sort | Chen-Wei Chang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of age-related hearing loss (ARHL) on working memory capacity (WMC) and speech recognition in noise and their relationship in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Participants were divided into three groups: young adults with normal hearing, middle-aged and older adults with normal hearing, and middle-aged and older adults with high-frequency hearing loss. Assessments included standard and extended high-frequency (EHF) audiometry, the Wechsler Memory Scale, and the Taiwanese Mandarin Quick Speech-in-Noise test. Results: Sixty-two participants were recruited. Early ARHL were evident as elevated thresholds >1 kHz and in the EHF range. Conventional high-frequency hearing loss primarily impaired word recognition in quiet, whereas EHF loss significantly affected speech-in-noise recognition. Furthermore, ARHL was associated with reduced WMC, potentially accelerating cognitive decline. After controlling for age and hearing status, no significant associations were found between signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) loss and hearing measures, including EHF hearing thresholds. However, WMC remained moderately and negatively correlated with SNR loss in middle-aged and older adults (r = −0.554, p = .002) but not in younger adults. Conclusion: Adults aged ≥50 years showed declines in EHF hearing sensitivity, WMC, and speech-in-noise recognition despite clinically normal hearing or well-preserved hearing. Speech-in-noise testing proved more sensitive than pure-tone audiometry or word recognition in detecting auditory and cognitive decline. To comprehensively evaluate the impact of ARHL on communication in middle-aged and older adults, it is recommended to incorporate assessments of EHF hearing sensitivity, cognitive function (e.g., WMC), and speech-in-noise perception. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-df6e69980b1648058714c59ff3bf9d06 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1873-6815 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Experimental Gerontology |
| spelling | doaj-art-df6e69980b1648058714c59ff3bf9d062025-08-20T03:17:24ZengElsevierExperimental Gerontology1873-68152025-09-0120811282310.1016/j.exger.2025.112823The impact of early age-related hearing loss on working memory capacity and speech recognition in noise in middle-aged and older adultsChen-Wei Chang0Yu-chun Chen1Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei city, Taiwan; Corresponding author at: Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, No.365, Ming-te Road, Peitou District, Taipei City 112303, Taiwan.School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New ZealandPurpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of age-related hearing loss (ARHL) on working memory capacity (WMC) and speech recognition in noise and their relationship in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Participants were divided into three groups: young adults with normal hearing, middle-aged and older adults with normal hearing, and middle-aged and older adults with high-frequency hearing loss. Assessments included standard and extended high-frequency (EHF) audiometry, the Wechsler Memory Scale, and the Taiwanese Mandarin Quick Speech-in-Noise test. Results: Sixty-two participants were recruited. Early ARHL were evident as elevated thresholds >1 kHz and in the EHF range. Conventional high-frequency hearing loss primarily impaired word recognition in quiet, whereas EHF loss significantly affected speech-in-noise recognition. Furthermore, ARHL was associated with reduced WMC, potentially accelerating cognitive decline. After controlling for age and hearing status, no significant associations were found between signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) loss and hearing measures, including EHF hearing thresholds. However, WMC remained moderately and negatively correlated with SNR loss in middle-aged and older adults (r = −0.554, p = .002) but not in younger adults. Conclusion: Adults aged ≥50 years showed declines in EHF hearing sensitivity, WMC, and speech-in-noise recognition despite clinically normal hearing or well-preserved hearing. Speech-in-noise testing proved more sensitive than pure-tone audiometry or word recognition in detecting auditory and cognitive decline. To comprehensively evaluate the impact of ARHL on communication in middle-aged and older adults, it is recommended to incorporate assessments of EHF hearing sensitivity, cognitive function (e.g., WMC), and speech-in-noise perception.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556525001524Age-related hearing lossExtended high-frequencyTaiwanese MandarinSpeech recognition in noiseWorking memory capacity |
| spellingShingle | Chen-Wei Chang Yu-chun Chen The impact of early age-related hearing loss on working memory capacity and speech recognition in noise in middle-aged and older adults Experimental Gerontology Age-related hearing loss Extended high-frequency Taiwanese Mandarin Speech recognition in noise Working memory capacity |
| title | The impact of early age-related hearing loss on working memory capacity and speech recognition in noise in middle-aged and older adults |
| title_full | The impact of early age-related hearing loss on working memory capacity and speech recognition in noise in middle-aged and older adults |
| title_fullStr | The impact of early age-related hearing loss on working memory capacity and speech recognition in noise in middle-aged and older adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of early age-related hearing loss on working memory capacity and speech recognition in noise in middle-aged and older adults |
| title_short | The impact of early age-related hearing loss on working memory capacity and speech recognition in noise in middle-aged and older adults |
| title_sort | impact of early age related hearing loss on working memory capacity and speech recognition in noise in middle aged and older adults |
| topic | Age-related hearing loss Extended high-frequency Taiwanese Mandarin Speech recognition in noise Working memory capacity |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556525001524 |
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