[Computer based neurocognitive testing in audiology].

[Computer based neurocognitive testing in audiology].

Laryngorhinootologie. 2018 Jan 22;:

Authors: Völter C, Götze L, Falkenstein M, Dazert S, Thomas JP

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Due to the demographic changes neurocognition has become an important issue also in the field of hearing rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a neurocognitive test using computer based tasks with regard to the elderly with and without hearing loss and its practicability for the daily clinical ENT setting.
PATIENTS: 171 patients of both genders with normal hearing or a profound hearing loss were enrolled in the study: 90 middleaged persons were between 50 and 64 years (57.0 ± 4.5 years) and 81 elderly persons 65 years and older (72.5 ± 5.4).
METHOD: A set of computer-based neurocognitive tasks with only visual instructions covering attention, processing speed, short- and longterm memory as well as executive functions was applied. A presession under the supervision of a trained assistant was included.
RESULTS: All patients were capable to complete the assessment by themselves regardless of age and hearing status, however the hearing impaired required 15 minutes more to finish the pretest and reported about a higher level of effort than normal hearing subjects (71 % versus 63 %). Interestingly 90 % of the older individuals claimed the test to fit with all ages, whereas 30 % of the middleaged participants remained skeptical (p = 0.02).
CONCLUSION: The presented neurocognitive assessment might be a useful instrument which can be easily included into the daily clinical ENT. It may give important hints to the otolaryngologist in order to develop the most effective hearing rehabilitation strategy.

PMID: 29359310 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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