The effect of sensorineural hearing loss on central auditory processing of signals in noise in older adults

ObjectivesThe study aimed to explore the effect of sensorineural hearing loss on the central auditory processing of signals in noise using cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) in a cohort of older adults. DesignThree groups of individuals participated in the study. Each group included 33 older adults with normal hearing, those with mild hearing loss and those with moderate hearing loss. N1-P2 peaks of CAEPs by speech stimuli in silent conditions and with varying sound pressure levels of background noise were recorded. CAEP latencies, amplitudes and relative changes in CAEP amplitudes as a function of decreasing signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) in three groups were analyzed using the mixed analysis of variance method. ResultsThere was a significant main effect of SNR on all CAEP components, as well as significant main effects of hearing status on N1 latencies, amplitudes and relative changes in N1 amplitudes. A significant interaction was found between hearing status and SNR for relative changes in N1 amplitudes. The normal hearing group differed from both the mild and moderate hearing loss groups in terms of relative changes in N1 amplitudes at SNR 10 dB. ConclusionThe results showed decreased amplitudes and increased latencies for N1-P2 response as the SNR of CAEP stimuli was lowered. The degree of reduction in the N1 amplitudes of the older people with normal hearing resulting from the increase in the background noise level was greater than those in their sensorineural hearing-impaired counterparts, providing evidence for decreased central inhibition for individuals with age-related hearing loss.