The effects of hearing augmentation on cognitive abilities and subjective tinnitus in sensorineural hearing loss patients

UVOD: Među starijom populacijom nalazimo povećan broj osoba s oštećenim sluhom i smanjenim kognitivnim sposobnostima. Zbog povezanosti slušnog sustava sa središnjim živčanim sustavom, dolazi do patoloških promjena na obje razine. Razvojem tehnologije, pogotovo proizvodnja i usavršavanje slušnih pomagala, poboljšala je kvalitetu života bolesnika s oštećenjem sluha. ----- CILJ ISTRAŽIVANJA: Uloga ovog istraživanja je utvrditi postoji li utjecaj nošenja slušnog pomagala na kognitivne sposobnosti i šum u uhu. Trenutna istraživanja ne pokazuju striktno povezanost ta dva entiteta. ----- ISPITANICI I METODE: U studiji provedenoj na Klinici za otorinolaringologiju i kirurgiju glave i vrata KBC Sestre milosrdnice sudjelovalo je 44 ispitanika sa zamjedbenim oštećenjem sluha. Podijeljeni su u dvije skupine po 22 osobe, ovisno o tome koriste li slušno pomagalo. Procjena kognitivnih sposobnosti vršila se putem Montrealske ljestvice kognitivne procjene (MoCA), a procjena utjecaja šuma u uhu na svakodnevne aktivnosti putem upitnika Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) i Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (ITHQ). Analizirana je povezanost nošenja slušnog pomagala s rezultatima navedenih upitnika. ----- REZULTATI: U našem istraživanju pokazana je povezanost nošenja slušnog pomagala i lošije sposobnosti imenovanja (p=0,030, OR 4,734), slabijeg odgođenog prisjećanja (p=0,033, OR 4,537) i prostorne orijentacije (p=0,016, OR 5,773). ----- ZAKLJUČAK: Rezultati govore o specifičnim vezama između slušnog sustava i funkcije središnjeg živčanog sustava. Ovi nam podaci omogućuju razvoj i poboljšanje strategije rehabilitacije sluha i kognitivnih sposobnosti u bolesnika s oštećenjem sluha. Takvim se pristupom omogućava veća kvaliteta života i prevencija daljeg kognitivnog oštećenja.INTRODUCTION: Among the elderly population, there is an increased number of people with hearing impairment and decreased cognitive abilities. Due to the connection of the auditory system with the central nervous system, pathological changes occur on both levels. With the development of technology related to hearing aids, the quality of life of patients with hearing impairment has been improved. ----- OBJECTIVE: The role of this study is to determine whether wearing of a hearing aid has an impact on cognitive abilities and tinnitus. Current research does not show a strict connection between these entities. ----- PATIENTS AND METHODS: A study conducted at the Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of the University Hospital Centre "Sestre milosrdnice" involved 44 subjects with sensorineural hearing loss. They are divided into two groups of 22 people, depending on whether they use a hearing aid or not. Assessment of cognitive abilities was performed via MoCA, and assessment of the impact of tinnitus on daily activities via THI and ITHQ. We analyzed the correlation of wearing a hearing aid with the results of the above questionnaires. ----- RESULTS: Our study showed an association between wearing a hearing aid and poorer naming ability (p = 0.030, OR 4.734), poorer delayed recall (p = 0.033, OR 4.537), and spatial orientation (p = 0.016, OR 5.773). ----- CONCLUSION: Based on the results, we can emphasize the importance of the auditory system as a central nervous system input. This information allows us to develop and improve the strategy of rehabilitation of hearing and cognitive abilities. Such an approach enables a higher quality of life in patients and prevents further cognitive decline