Central Auditory Processing (CAP) Abnormalities in Older Adults: A Review

Older adults, with and without measured hearing loss, often report difficulties in following rapid speech and difficulties in understanding speech in noisy environments. It is likely that these difficulties arise from: (a) deteriorating peripheral hearing and/or (b) structural changes to the central auditory system (CAS) and/or (c) changes to normal cognitive function. This review will focus on the structural changes to the CAS and the likely central auditory processing (CAP) abnormality arising from these changes. Older, compared with young normal hearing adults, show physiological and behavioural differences on measures of sound localisation, and in the detection of small and/or rapid changes to the temporal properties of various auditory stimuli. This article will review these differences together with prevalence and risk factors for CAP abnormality in older adults. The impact of this condition on the older adult as well as potential approaches to rehabilitation and (re)training will also be reviewed.