Peripheral Hearing and Cognition

Abstract

Consistent with literature suggesting a significant relationship between peripheral hearing and cognition, and in agreement with our hypothesis, peripheral hearing was significantly related to 10 of 11 measures of cognition that assessed processing speed, executive function, or memory, as well as global cognitive status. Although evidence, including the present results, suggests a relationship between peripheral hearing and cognition, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Examination of these mechanisms is a critical need to direct appropriate treatment.