HEARING THRESHOLDS AND MEMORY DISORDERS IN OLDER PEOPLE
International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology
HEARING THRESHOLDS AND MEMORY DISORDERS IN OLDER PEOPLE
Autor Correspondente: Teixeira AR | [email protected]
Resumos Cadastrados
Resumo Inglês:
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between hearing thresholds and memory disorders in a group of elderly patients. Twenty subjects were evaluated, aged 60-84 years (mean 72.1 ± 6.6 years); 18 (90%) were female. The evaluation included audiological and neurological history, pure tone audiometry, and the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), which is used to evaluate short- and long-term memory and recent learning. This test has been validated for the Brazilian population. It comprises a list of 15 words that are read several times to the subject. At the end of each reading, the subject is requested to repeat the words (recent learning). After the fifth repetition, a different word list is read to the patient as interference. The patient is then immediately asked again to recall the original list (short-term memory) and asked again 30 min later (long-term memory). Testing showed that 11 (55%) subjects had normal hearing. The RAVLT showed normal results in 15 individuals in the recent learning phase. In the evaluation of short-term memory, 8 (40%) subjects were within normal limits. The results of long-term memory were normal in 12 (60%) seniors. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference only in long-term memory, with those scoring poorly on the RAVLT showing a higher mean hearing threshold (P = 0.025*). It was concluded that there is an association between hearing thresholds and changes in long-term memory.
