PP1005 - Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss on Cognitive and Psychosocial Function in Individuals Facing Health-Related Disparities

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of untreated hearing loss on cognitive and psychosocial function in individuals facing health related disparities. We studied 40 participants with untreated hearing loss. Each participants completed a total of 12 questions in four different areas (daily burdens, emotional, social, and phycological) and also completed a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) for the purpose of this study.  This data was analyzed by an artificial intelligence model. Results indicated that the most significant factors impacting cognitive function were perceived emotional limitations followed closely by age and daily burdens associated with untreated hearing loss.

Summary:

The global burden of hearing loss according to published reports is estimated as 19.3% (Vos et al, 2021) Individuals with moderate to moderately severe hearing may particularly experience lower quality of life and need treatment for hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss is often associated with negative health outcomes including cognitive decline, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. (Reed et al, 2018) The emotional effects of hearing loss can include loneliness, isolation, depression, and anxiety. (Vos et al, 2021) While these affects greatly impact individuals fewer than 20% of individuals with hearing loss use hearing aids. (Reed et al, 2018)While the exact reasons for this is unknown cost of hearing aids, lack of access to professional hearing services, and other health related disparities are prevalent in all 50 states within the US. Stigma is often times associated with individuals facing health related disparities associated with specific burdens associated with economic, psychosocial, and cognitive limitations. Stigma is typically associated with a lower quality of life. (Privado, Carrasco, Duran, 2019)

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of untreated hearing loss on cognitive and psychosocial function in individuals facing health related disparities. We specifically developed a questionnaire that participants with untreated hearing loss could complete to explore the possible burdens in four different areas (economic, psychosocial, age, and emotional.) The outcome variable was cognitive functioning measured by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) a well-known measurement on cognitive ability. We hypothesized that economic limitations, age, and psychosocial factors would interact in some non-linear fashion to impact cognitive ability measured by the MOCA.

We studied 40 participants with untreated hearing loss. All participants failed a hearing screening and agreed to complete the questionnaire. Each participants completed a total of 12 questions in four different areas (daily burdens, emotional, social, and phycological) and also completed a MOCA assessment for the purpose of this study. 

This data was then analyzed by an artificial intelligence model. Specifically, we used artificial neural networks to connect factors (economic, psychosocial, age, and emotional) from an input layer with cognitive outcomes in an output layer (low MOCA versus high MOCA scores.) These two layers were matched by a middle hidden layer on IBM-SPSF statistical software. Results indicated that the most significant factors impacting cognitive function were perceived emotional limitations followed closely by age and daily burdens associated with untreated hearing loss. Psychological, social, and socioeconomic were less likely to drive the cognitive outcomes of untreated hearing loss.

We found the likelihood ratios to be the following. An individual from lower socioeconomic status was 1.25 times more likely to have cognitive decline than someone from higher socioeconomic status. An individual who obtained a higher handicap score from the questionnaire was 2.54 times more likely to have cognitive decline than someone who had a lower handicap score. An individual from an older group was 4.36 times more likely to show cognitive decline associated with untreated hearing loss than someone from a younger age group.