The effects of hearing loss on speech perception and functional communication

Abstract

Introduction: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hearing loss (HL) on speech perception (SP) and functional communication (FC), within the elderly Maltese community. Additionally, the research also analysed how participants and their significant others (SOs) perceive difficulty with FC in relation to the HL. Methodology: 44 participants between 65 and 84 years of age were recruited for the study through cluster and snowball sampling. Data Analysis: Participants were divided in terms of age (70 years or less, 71-76 years, 77 years or more) and hearing groups (normal hearing, mild HL and moderate/disabling HL). Data was statistically analysed in order to correlate and compare mean SP in quiet (SPQ) and SP in noise (SPN) scores, in hearing groups and age groups. Furthermore, total and individual scores from the self-report questionnaires, the Self-Assessment of Communication (SAC) and the Significant Other Assessment of Communication (SOAC), were also correlated and compared in both hearing and age groups. Results: The eldest age group had significantly reduced hearing when compared to the younger groups. A statistically significant, strong correlation between increased HL and reduced SP skills was also identified. SPQ scores gradually and significantly decreased from normal hearing to moderate (disabling) HL, with all participants performing worse in SPN. Thus, the older the individual the higher the chance of increased HL, in turn negatively affecting SP skills, especially in noise. Moreover, pure-tone audiometry (PTA) scores positively and significantly correlated with both SAC and SOAC total scores. Hence, a high PTA score resulted in increased perceived difficulty with FC. The participants and SOs had coinciding views with regard to the HL and its consequences on FC. Conclusion: The findings of this small-scale study tentatively suggest that with advancing age, hearing and SP skills are reduced. These in turn affected the participants’ and SOs’ selfperceived difficulties with FC.