Intervention in hearing loss and age-related cognitive decline

• Grant number: 25/07267-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ana Cláudia Mirândola Barbosa Reis
• Grantee: Beatriz de Souza Morselli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Aim: To investigate the relationship between cognitive aspects such as attention, memory, oral language and executive functions in patients with hearing loss and users of electronic hearing aids, and to compare this with a group of individuals with hearing loss and age-related cognitive decline. Method: This scientific initiation project is part of a larger research project called "Effects of hearing interventions in adults with hearing loss and age-related cognitive decline", which was submitted to and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Ribeirão Preto Hospital das Clínicas, Ribeirão Preto Medical School (HCRP/FMRP/USP), in accordance with the rules of CNS Resolution No. 466/2012, Opinion No. 5.383.942, CAEE No. 57669122.4.0000.5440. This is an observational, prospective and cross-sectional study. It will identify, characterize and compare the main auditory signs and symptoms related to cognitive disorders in 20 participants with auditory intervention (use of hearing aids or CI), aged 60 or over, of both sexes, with 20 individuals in the same condition without intervention and a further 20 individuals in the control group. All participants will be invited to take part in the study during their follow-up appointments at the Geriatric Dementia Outpatient Clinic (DEMEM) at the Hospital das Clínicas, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (HCFMRP-USP), as indicated by the doctor in charge. Behavioral hearing assessment (ATL, IPRF, HINT), auditory effort measurement (VAS and pupillometry), self-report questionnaires (SF36) and brief neuropsychological assessment (NEUPSILIN - adult) will be used. The descriptive measures will be organized and described in spreadsheets and tables, and an exploratory analysis of the data will be carried out. The Student's t-test will be used to check for statistically significant differences between the groups. In addition, Pearson's correlation coefficient will be applied to analyze the relationship between cognitive findings and hearing loss. Expected results: The research is expected to show that auditory rehabilitation is one of the ways to prevent cognitive decline and that it improves the cognitive aspects (attention, memory, oral language and executive functions) that hearing loss can interfere. (AU)