Age-related hearing loss is one of the most prevalent health conditions among the elderly. Hearing loss may lead to social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline in older adults. The mechanistic basis for the association between hearing loss and decreased cognitive function remains unknown as does the potential for improving cognition through hearing rehabilitation. To that end, we asked whether the restoration of sensory input through the use of hearing aids would improve cognitive and auditory neural function. We compared a group of first-time hearing aid users with a hearing-matched control group after a period of six months. The use of hearing aids enhanced working memory performance and increased cortical response amplitudes. Neurophysiologic changes correlated with working memory changes, suggesting a mechanism for decreased cognitive function with hearing loss. These results suggest a neural mechanism for the sensory-cognitive connection and underscore the importance of providing auditory rehabilitation for individuals with age-related hearing loss to improve cognitive and neural function. Our findings of improved cognitive function with hearing aid use may lead to increased adoption of hearing loss remedies.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.04.041 | DOI Listing |
Hum Genet
January 2025
Division of Hearing and Balance Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, NHO Tokyo Medical Center, 2-5-1 Higashigaoka, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo, 152-8902, Japan.
There are hundreds of rare syndromic diseases involving hearing loss, many of which are not targeted for clinical genetic testing. We systematically explored the genetic causes of undiagnosed syndromic hearing loss using a combination of whole exome sequencing (WES) and a phenotype similarity search system called PubCaseFinder. Fifty-five families with syndromic hearing loss of unknown cause were analyzed using WES after prescreening of several deafness genes depending on patient clinical features.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Dermatol Res
January 2025
Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300102, China.
Objective: This study aims to investigate the genetic link between psoriasis and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).
Methods: From a genetic standpoint, this study further highlighted the connection between psoriasis and SSNHL. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) connected to SSNHL could be found using a genome-wide association study from the IEU OpenGWAS project website.
BMC Neurol
January 2025
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine.
Background: Vanishing white matter disease (VWMD) is a rare autosomal recessive leukoencephalopathy. It is typified by a gradual loss of white matter in the brain and spinal cord, which results in impairments in vision and hearing, cerebellar ataxia, muscular weakness, stiffness, seizures, and dysarthria cogitative decline. Many reports involve minors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMJ Case Rep
January 2025
Audiovestibular Medicine, St George's Hospital, London, UK.
A toddler presented to audiovestibular medicine with mild bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss identified via the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme. This report focuses on the early clinical assessment and aetiological investigation which prompted testing for metabolic disease and highlights the parents' perspective. Early investigation led to a relatively early diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type IIIA: Sanfilippo disease which enabled the family to access a novel treatment option which otherwise would not have been possible.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMJ Case Rep
January 2025
Haematology, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Wakefield, UK
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