Hearing loss and cognition : the perspective of healthcare professionals

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspective of different healthcare professionals with respect to acquired hearing loss (HL) and cognition. The professionals recruited include Audiologists, Geriatricians, Nurses and Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP’s) who work in different settings including acute hospitals, community and private clinics, residential homes and long-term care facilities. Background. The current study explored acquired HL and cognition and the possible relationship between the two variables following the awareness that untreated HL may increase the effect of auditory deprivation leading to increased cognitive decline (CD). In turn, this may reduce social participation, increase isolation and depression whilst significantly reducing interest towards hearing rehabilitation (Berrettini et al., 2016). Methods. Twenty-one different professionals participated in a focus group depending on their particular profession. A set of general questions aimed at all professionals were addressed together with a set of specific questions which relate more directly to the particular profession of the participants. Similarities and differences with respect to the perspective of different healthcare professionals were considered following a conversational and qualitative analysis. Results. The results demonstrated that all healthcare professionals were aware of the link between HL and cognition and the possible difficulties and implications which may arise. The use of adapted assessments in cases of HL which yield more reliable cognitive test results has been reported to be highly limited. Additionally, the issue of interdisciplinarity and the lack of a formed pathway in the management of clients who are observed to be experiencing cognitive difficulties was raised. Issues related to the use of hearing aids which could possibly prevent CD and reduce the risk for dementia were also discussed. Strategies healthcare professionals adopt to encourage effective communication have been reported. Training with respect to HL and cognition and the relationship between the two was suggested to be inadequate and for this reason, recommendations and suggestions for future research were made in order to invigorate improved intervention outcome in the future. Conclusions. There are compelling needs for hearing healthcare professionals to increase their awareness in relation to how losses in relation to hearing and cognition are amalgamated to affect the life of the individual.