AAA 2021 Virtual: Clinical Protocols and Audiological Considerations Associated with Patient Cognitive Performance

Presented at AAA 2021 Virtual

Presenter(s): Heidi Hill, AuD 

Duration: 30 minutes

CEUs: 0.05 AAA

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Program Focus: Knowledge

Learning Outcomes: Upon completion, each participant in the eAudiology Web Seminar will be able to:

1. Apply current and emerging research to demonstrate how hearing health and cognitive health are inter-related.
2. Describe how changes in cognition may impact an individual’s hearing ability in complex, every day listening environments.
3. Identify how audiologists can play a more prominent role in promoting brain health by considering cognitive performance in audiologic care models.

Description:  

Abstract:

This session will review and explore how the use of reliable and accurate cognitive assessment patient insights can be used by audiologists to enhance the quality of patient care and drive compliance and retention efforts. Recommended clinical protocols to assess and incorporate cognitive performance information, developed by audiologists, will be reviewed. This session will include the review of best practices and observations from audiologists that have deployed these protocols in real-world practice settings.

Summary:

Up to 40% of individuals fit with hearing aids do not receive optimal benefit and are therefore are not satisfied with their hearing aids (1). Only 43% of hearing aid users are still using their hearing aids 8-16 years after fitting (2). Traditional hearing evaluations and treatment focus on the peripheral system, often missing age-related changes to the central auditory nervous system and cognitive processes needed for hearing in complex, real-world everyday listening environments.  It is imperative that audiologist understand age-related changes in cognition since there is an interaction and co-dependency between cognition and audition (3). Cognitive screening allows for more specific testing of listening abilities, aids in early identification of cognitive decline by assisting in more timely referrals for full cognitive evaluation (4). Cognitive performance evaluation has routinely been incorporated in clinical practice and was even recommended as a non-auditory consideration during hearing aid evaluations (5).

This session will discuss the substantial relationship between hearing and cognition, followed by a review and comparison of various cognitive screening methods currently in use. This session will focus on the increasing role the audiologist has in promoting cognitive heath and how cognitive screening can contribute to a more holistic, patient-centered approach to hearing healthcare.

1. Barker, F., Mackenzie, E., Elliott, L., Jones, S., & de Lusignan, S. (2016). Interventions to improve hearing aid use in adult auditory rehabilitation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 8, 1–106. https://doi.org/10.1002/146518...

2. Gianopoulos, I., Stephens, D., Davis, A. Follow up of people fitted with hearing aids after adult hearing screening: the need for support after fitting. BMJ. 2002 Aug 31; 325(7362): 471.

3. Kricos, P. Providing hearing rehabilitation to people with dementia presents unique challenges. Hearing Journal (2009), 62(11), 39-43.

4. Shen J, Anderson MC, Arehart KH, Souza PE. Using Cognitive Screening Tests in Audiology. Am J Audiol. 2016;25(4):319-331. doi:10.1044/2016_AJA-16-0032

5. Souza, P. (2019, February 11). 20Q: The Importance of Cognitive Assessment in Audiology Practice Pamela Souza. Retrieved November 13, 2020

Heidi Hill, AuD

Audiologist, Hearing Health Clinic

Dr. Heidi Hill, owner of Hearing Health Clinic for the past decade, has been practicing audiology for over twenty years. A graduate of Park Center High School, the University of Minnesota, and A.T. Stills University, Dr. Heidi is a member of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, Minnesota Academy of Audiology, and she holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dr. Heidi specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing loss, tinnitus, concussions, and auditory processing problems.

Disclosure: Financial Disclosures: Cognivue- Consultant/Advisory Board, Speaker/Honoraria includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness, The concept of cognitive screening will be discussed, but presentation of Cognivue will only be presented in the context of available cognitive screening methods including MoCA, MMSE, etc.

Non-Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant non-financial relationships with anything to disclose.