Precision Cognitive Testing and Assessment at North Houston Hearing Solutions
A 10-year study by Dr. Frank Lin at Johns Hopkins University completed in 2013 indicates that there is a fivefold increase of dementia in individuals with mild, medium, or severe hearing loss.
Dr. Lin’s findings are supported by additional studies conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, which reported an increased risk of subjective cognitive decline of 30 percent among men with mild hearing loss, compared with those with no hearing loss, and a 42 to 54 percent higher risk of developing cognitive issues for those with moderate or severe hearing loss, respectively.
Since the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline is well established, North Houston Hearing Solutions has made cognitive screening an important part of our audiological practice.
We use advanced diagnostic technology, known as Cognivue, as a cognitive function test capable of measuring how your hearing challenges are affecting your cognitive performance and capacity as well as your quality of life.
The Link Between Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are among the consequences of advanced cognitive decline. They may develop at a faster rate in individuals experiencing hearing loss, for several reasons:
An increased cognitive load: Untreated hearing loss overworks the brain, as it overexerts itself to understand sound and speech, slowing the overall efficiency of the brain.
Deteriorating brain structure: Decreased stimulation from sound that never reaches the brain results in overall brain cell decline.
Ongoing social isolation: Because individuals with hearing loss struggle to hear conversations in social settings, they tend to stay home, isolating themselves from social interactions, which limits left-brain function, leading to atrophy of that hemisphere.
Four Early Warning Signs of Cognitive Decline
01
Memory Loss
Not all memory problems are the result of cognitive decline. Forgetting where you left your keys is normal, but forgetting important events or appointments or not recognizing people or places you know well is not.
02
Mood and Behavioral Swings
Emotional outbursts, angry rants, crying, irritability, aggression, and anxiety and depression without a reasonable cause, such as a specific event or a hormone imbalance, are also early signs of cognitive decline.
03
Difficulty Concentrating
Losing your train of thought while speaking, getting confused during conversations, losing track of the plot in books and movies, and an inability to remain focused on a task are additional signs. They sometimes manifest as impulsive actions, uncharacteristically rash behavior, and poor judgment.
04
Physical Symptoms
The way you walk, talk, and move can start to change as well, because your brain controls your motor skills. Consequently, feeling unsteady on your feet, slurring your speech, sloppy penmanship when you used to have good penmanship, and difficulty turning pages in a book or magazine are other physical symptoms of cognitive decline.
How Does Cognitive Screening Work?
The Cognivue screening test makes use of FDA-approved technology similar to what is employed by neurologists to assess cognitive function.
It allows us to observe and measure three aspects of cognitive performance and two indicators of cognitive capacity using a five-minute, self-administered computerized screening.
Cognitive performance aspects evaluated include:
Memory: Your ability to store and recall information when required.
Visuospatial: Your capacity to receive and understand visual information about yourself and your surroundings.
Executive function: Your capacity to focus on and solve problems. Measurement of your cognitive capacity involves two speed performance parameters:
Reaction time: Your ability to physically react to situations.
Processing speed: The time it takes you to mentally process a task.
What Do the Results of the Cognivue Screening Test Show?
Besides assessing cognitive performance and cognitive capacity, Cognivue is an advanced-level tool that enhances our ability to develop a highly effective hearing care plan and hearing aid selection.
A score is given for each of the five areas evaluated during a Cognivue screening test. Each of them provides insight into how you are processing sound.
Five Benefits of Cognitive Screening in Your Hearing Treatment Experience
01
Gives Your Audiologist a Fuller Picture of Your Hearing Loss
Lower memory scores and poor performance in the various domains revealed by cognitive screening provide more information related to why you have more difficulty hearing in an environment with background noise than the results provided by an audiogram.
02
Broadens the Scope of Treatment Options Available
Cognitive screening results may lead to extra diagnostic testing by your audiologist for greater diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, information gathered helps optimize hearing aid programming for sound processing in environments with heavy background noise.
03
Produces Less Biased Data
Because the patient self-administers the tests, cognitive screening removes the prejudices of the tester and biases connected with socioeconomic class, education level, and demography.
04
Offers Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment
Cognitive screening has the potential to detect any level of cognitive decline even before moderate cognitive impairment begins to become evident.
05
Assists With Monitoring and Treatment Feedback
Frequent repetition of cognitive testing allows your audiologist to monitor changes to your cognitive function, which provides feedback for the impact of prescribed hearing care treatments on your cognitive performance.
