Michael R Papazian, Katelyn A Berg, Andrea J DeFreese, Terrin N Tamati, Aaron C Moberly
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Abstract
Purpose: The three-alternative forced-choice design of the spectral-temporally modulated ripple test (SMRT) may capture both auditory and neurocognitive functioning. The relationships between neurocognitive functions and SMRT performance remain unexplored in middle-aged and older adults, as does the degree to which hearing loss may affect these relationships. This study hypothesized that better neurocognitive functions and better hearing would predict better SMRT performance and that hearing loss and neurocognitive functions would interact in contributing to SMRT performance.
Method: Data were collected from 81 adults recruited from a single tertiary care medical center with hearing abilities ranging from normal hearing to profound hearing loss. Relationships were examined among SMRT performance; unaided pure-tone average (PTA) at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz; age; nonverbal reasoning (Raven's Progressive Matrices [Raven's]); and short-term memory capacity (visual forward digit span).
Results: Bivariate analyses revealed that PTA, digit span, and Raven's scores were significantly associated with SMRT performance, whereas age was not. Multivariable linear regression confirmed these three as independent, significant predictors; age again was not. Interaction terms of PTA × Digit Span and PTA × Raven's were not significant predictors of SMRT performance.
Conclusions: Neurocognitive functions of nonverbal reasoning and short-term memory capacity, as well as hearing ability, independently contribute to SMRT performance. Nonsignificant interactions suggest that the neurocognitive effects on SMRT are constant across degrees of hearing loss. These findings support ongoing use of SMRT in middle-aged and older adults with hearing loss, although the independent effects of neurocognitive functions should be accounted for, or at least considered, when interpreting SMRT performance.
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