A better understanding of cortical neuroplasticity accompanying hearing loss may allow us to improve intervention and rehabilitation for patients with hearing loss.  Compensation for the deleterious effects of hearing loss include recruitment of alternative brain networks during cortical processing. Our experiments suggest that early stage, mild-moderate, age-related hearing loss ranging results in significant changes in neural resource allocation, reflecting patterns of cross-modal compensation from the visual and somatosensory modalities, increased listening effort, and decreased cognitive spare capacity. Adults with untreated age-related hearing loss also show evidence of cognitive decline. Treatment with hearing aids reverse cross-modal recruitment of auditory cortex over the course of 6 months, coinciding with gains in auditory speech perception abilities, social-emotional processing and significant improvements in cognitive performance as measured by clinical tests of neurocognition. New data on results of neurocognitive changes with over-the-counter hearing aids will be discussed.

Description:

This round table session will explore the multifaceted impact of hearing aid use on cognitive function and subjective tinnitus among patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The discussion will bring together audiologists, neurologists, cognitive scientists, and patient advocates to examine current research, clinical experiences, and patient-reported outcomes related to the cognitive benefits and tinnitus management facilitated by hearing aids. Key topics include mechanisms by which hearing amplification may influence cognitive load, tinnitus perception, and overall quality of life. The session aims to identify gaps in understanding and outline collaborative approaches to optimize hearing aid interventions for cognitive and tinnitus-related outcomes.

Outcome Objectives:

Understand the relationship between hearing aid use and cognitive function in patients with SNHL, including potential mechanisms underlying cognitive improvements.

Discuss the impact of hearing aids on subjective tinnitus symptoms and the variability in patient responses.

Identify clinical strategies for assessing and managing tinnitus and cognitive challenges in hearing aid users.

Background:

Sensorineural hearing loss is frequently accompanied by cognitive decline and tinnitus, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that hearing aids not only improve auditory input but may also alleviate cognitive burden by enhancing auditory processing, thereby potentially slowing cognitive decline. Similarly, hearing aids may modulate tinnitus perception, although outcomes vary widely among individuals.

Background. Permanent childhood hearing loss has a negative impact on children’s development. Early detection via universal newborn hearing screening makes early intervention possible. Evidence on how and why early intervention influences outcomes of children with hearing loss at school age is lacking. This paper draws on findings from the Longitudinal Outcomes of Children with Hearing Impairment (LOCHI) study, a prospective population-based study in Australia.

Objective. To examine the influence of early hearing intervention on the outcomes of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Method. Three-hundred and sixty-seven children completed assessments at earlier time points and at 9 years of age. In the cohort, 231 were using hearing aids and 158 were using cochlear implants. Standardized measures of language, cognitive abilities, and speech perception were directly administered. Quality of life was assessed using standardized questionnaires. The relationships among demographic characteristics, age at fitting of hearing aids or cochlear implants, and children’s outcomes were examined using multiple regression analysis and structural equation modelling. 

Result. The modelling is consistent with verbal short-term memory having a mediating effect on multiple outcomes. Better verbal short-term memory is associated with no additional disabilities, earlier age at cochlear implant activation, use of an oral communication mode in early intervention, and higher maternal education. In turn, verbal short-term memory directly and positively affects speech perception, language and quality of life.

Conclusion. This study found evidence consistent with early hearing intervention having a positive effect on speech perception and language via its effect on verbal short-term memory. Children who had better language also had better quality of life. The importance of early hearing for cognitive development lends support to early detection and early hearing intervention, including streamlining pathways for early CI activation. The implications for evidence-based clinical practice will be discussed.

Panel Presentation of Hearing Preservation During CI

This session explores how hearing aid use stimulates neuroplastic changes within the auditory and cognitive systems. Experts will discuss emerging evidence on how auditory rehabilitation promotes cortical reorganization, enhances cognitive performance, and supports healthy aging. The panel will also highlight translational perspectives linking auditory stimulation, neural adaptation, and cognitive resilience in daily listening environments.