Hearing loss rehabilitation and higher-order auditory and cognitive processing

The associations between hearing loss and cognition are complex. Over the last decade, our understanding of some of the underlying mechanisms that contribute to this association have emerged. Additionally, more recent research has focused on the role of auditory rehabilitation on cognitive function. It is an exciting time to be a part of the interface of otologic medicine and surgery and cognitive hearing science research because of the rate at which knowledge is amassing in these disciplines. Each new idea represents a step forward and builds upon prior work. The breadth of this research is vast and involves a number of different research and clinical specialists that not only brings readers from the bench to the bedside, but also introduces them to ideas from surgeons to psychologists. With the range of specialists active in research of the associations of hearing loss and cognition, the field will likely continue to expand and evolve in a positive way