Hearing aids from past to present

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.

Future Vision of Hearing Therapeutics: From Early Intervention to Comprehensive Rehabilitation