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(Ivanhoe Newswire) An early indication of memory loss could come from your ears. Results of a new study suggest mild memory impairment may be associated with central auditory processing dysfunction (CAPD), a listening disorder.
People with CAPD usually have normal or near normal hearing in quiet situations. However, in difficult hearing situations when there are competing sounds, like other conversations or background noises, these patients have substantial hearing difficulty. Previous studies have shown that central auditory processing is impaired in individuals with dyslexia, Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.
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Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle tested the central auditory processing function of 313 elderly individuals using three tests: one in which nonsense sentences were read over the background of an interesting narrative and two in which separate sentences or numbers were read into each ear simultaneously.
"These central auditory processing test paradigms evaluate how well an individual manages competing signals, a task that requires adequate short-term memory and the ability to shift attention rapidly," study authors write.
Average scores on central auditory processing tests were significantly lower in the group with dementia and in the group with mild memory impairment than in the control group without memory problems.
From their findings, authors suggest central auditory testing be regularly conducted on elderly patients with hearing complaints.
SOURCE: Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, 2008;134
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