The impact of early age-related hearing loss on working memory capacity and speech recognition in noise in middle-aged and older adults

IF 4.3

Experimental gerontology Pub Date : 2025-07-02 DOI:10.1016/j.exger.2025.112823

Chen-Wei Chang , Yu-chun Chen

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the impact of age-related hearing loss (ARHL) on working memory capacity (WMC) and speech recognition in noise and their relationship in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods

Participants were divided into three groups: young adults with normal hearing, middle-aged and older adults with normal hearing, and middle-aged and older adults with high-frequency hearing loss. Assessments included standard and extended high-frequency (EHF) audiometry, the Wechsler Memory Scale, and the Taiwanese Mandarin Quick Speech-in-Noise test.

Results

Sixty-two participants were recruited. Early ARHL were evident as elevated thresholds >1 kHz and in the EHF range. Conventional high-frequency hearing loss primarily impaired word recognition in quiet, whereas EHF loss significantly affected speech-in-noise recognition. Furthermore, ARHL was associated with reduced WMC, potentially accelerating cognitive decline. After controlling for age and hearing status, no significant associations were found between signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) loss and hearing measures, including EHF hearing thresholds. However, WMC remained moderately and negatively correlated with SNR loss in middle-aged and older adults (r = −0.554, p = .002) but not in younger adults.

Conclusion

Adults aged ≥50 years showed declines in EHF hearing sensitivity, WMC, and speech-in-noise recognition despite clinically normal hearing or well-preserved hearing. Speech-in-noise testing proved more sensitive than pure-tone audiometry or word recognition in detecting auditory and cognitive decline. To comprehensively evaluate the impact of ARHL on communication in middle-aged and older adults, it is recommended to incorporate assessments of EHF hearing sensitivity, cognitive function (e.g., WMC), and speech-in-noise perception.

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早期失聪对中老年人工作记忆能力和噪声环境下语音识别的影响。

目的：探讨年龄相关性听力损失（age-related hearing loss， ARHL）对中老年人噪声环境下工作记忆容量（working memory capacity， WMC）和语音识别能力的影响及其相互关系。方法：将参与者分为听力正常的青壮年组、听力正常的中老年组和高频听力损失的中老年组。评估包括标准和扩展高频（EHF）听力测量，韦氏记忆量表和台湾普通话快速语音噪音测试。结果：共招募了62名受试者。早期ARHL明显表现为阈值升高>.1 kHz和EHF范围。常规高频听力损失主要影响安静环境下的单词识别，而高频听力损失则显著影响噪声环境下的语音识别。此外，ARHL与WMC降低有关，可能加速认知能力下降。在控制了年龄和听力状况后，信噪比（SNR）损失与听力指标（包括EHF听力阈值）之间没有显著关联。然而，WMC在中老年人中与信噪比损失保持中度负相关（r = -0.554,p = .002），而在年轻人中则没有。结论：年龄≥50 岁的成年人尽管临床听力正常或听力保存良好，但EHF听力敏感性、WMC和噪声中言语识别能力均有所下降。在检测听觉和认知衰退方面，噪音语音测试被证明比纯音测听或单词识别更敏感。为了全面评估ARHL对中老年人沟通的影响，建议结合EHF听力敏感性、认知功能（如WMC）和噪音中言语感知的评估。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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