Hidden Contributors to Cognition: The Overlooked Role of Vestibular and Auditory Dysfunction
09-12, 08:00–09:00 (Europe/Istanbul), Audiology 2

<p>Hearing and vestibular systems are crucial not only for auditory perception and balance but also for supporting a range of cognitive functions. Studies have consistently shown that hearing loss is associated with structural and functional changes in brain regions critical for cognition, including the hippocampus. Similarly, vestibular dysfunction has been linked to impairments in spatial memory, navigation, numerical cognition, and attention, independent of auditory deficits. Notably, experimental studies controlling for hearing loss have demonstrated that vestibular impairment alone can lead to deficits in spatial orientation, visuospatial memory, and executive functions—likely due to disrupted input to hippocampal and parietal regions responsible for spatial representation and body schema.</p> <p>A central challenge in the literature is disentangling the individual contributions of auditory and vestibular systems, particularly given their anatomical and functional interconnections in the brainstem and shared presence in many otologic conditions. Nonetheless, approximately 43% of published studies on vestibular-related cognitive dysfunction have controlled for hearing status and still report significant cognitive impairments associated with vestibular loss. For example, Brandt et al. (2005) and Kremmyda et al. (2016) showed that patients with bilateral vestibular loss exhibited hippocampal atrophy and impaired performance in spatial memory tasks, even in the absence of significant hearing impairment. Moreover, Moser et al. (2017) demonstrated that patients with acute vestibular neuritis performed worse on mathematical reasoning tasks, suggesting deficits in spatial-numerical processing linked to vestibular disruption.</p> <p>On the other hand, hearing loss has also been independently associated with impairments in working memory, language processing, and learning, often through mechanisms such as increased cognitive load, reduced sensory stimulation, or neural reorganization. These effects can be compounded when hearing and vestibular impairments co-occur, though most existing studies lack well-defined patient groups to analyze these interactions systematically.</p> <p>Given the growing recognition that vestibular and auditory inputs are integral to cognitive processing, there is a pressing need to incorporate comprehensive sensory assessment in cognitive evaluations. This presentation will outline an integrated framework for studying multisensory contributions to cognition and advocate for including vestibular function as a standard variable in cognitive research and clinical screening.</p> <p>In conclusion, hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction should not be seen merely as peripheral sensory issues but as central factors influencing cognitive health. A better understanding of their independent and combined effects may not only illuminate the neurobiology of cognitive decline but also open new avenues for multisensory rehabilitation strategies.</p>
<p>Hearing and vestibular systems are crucial not only for auditory perception and balance but also for supporting a range of cognitive functions. Although traditionally considered in isolation, growing evidence suggests that both hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction can independently, and perhaps synergistically, contribute to impairments in cognition. This presentation aims to synthesize current findings from experimental and epidemiological studies that demonstrate the role of these sensory impairments in cognitive dysfunction, with a particular emphasis on spatial memory, attention, and executive processes.</p>
Moderator-Speaker Moderator-Speaker
Hung THAI-VAN
Speaker Speaker
Nizamettin Burak Avcı
Melda Acar
Arzu Hediye KARAKOÇ
Nizamettin Burak Avcı
<p>Dr. Nizamettin Burak Avcı is a faculty member at the Department of Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trakya University. He completed his undergraduate education at the Department of Audiology, Istanbul University in 2016, and then completed his master's degree in Audiology, Speech and Language Pathology at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa in 2019. He received his PhD from the Department of Audiology, Hacettepe University, Institute of Health Sciences in 2023.</p>
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Melda Acar
<p>Dr. Melda Acar is a lecturer in the Department of Audiology at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Faculty of Health Sciences. Her academic and clinical work focuses on audiology and vestibular sciences, particularly the clinical assessment and management of hearing and balance disorders. She actively performs comprehensive audiological and vestibular evaluations in adult and pediatric populations and contributes to interdisciplinary clinical decision-making processes.</p> <p>Dr. Acar has participated in various clinical and research projects aimed at improving diagnostic approaches and functional outcomes in individuals with auditory and balance-related conditions. She regularly contributes to national and international scientific meetings and continues to support advancements in clinical audiology and vestibular rehabilitation practices.</p>
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Hung THAI-VAN
<p>- Professor<br>- Hospices Civils de Lyon (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lyon)<br>- Professor<br>- Hospices Civils de Lyon (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lyon)<br>- Professor<br>- Hospices Civils de Lyon (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lyon)</p>
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Arzu Hediye KARAKOÇ
<p>I completed my bachelor’s degree in Audiology at Istanbul Medipol University on a full scholarship,</p> <p>graduating at the top of my class in 2022. I obtained my Master’s degree from the Audiology department in</p> <p>2025, also on a full scholarship.</p>