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<p>This study explores the interplay between cognitive and auditory factors in speech perception among older adults, focusing on those with challenges hearing in noisy environments. A total of 63 older adults aged 60–80 years were enrolled, comprising 32 with mild-to-moderate hearing loss (OHL) and 31 with normal hearing (ONH), all of whom reported difficulties with speech perception. We assessed central auditory temporal processing at both low and high rates, as well as cognitive functions, including attention (divided and selective) and working memory. Participants completed speech-in-noise tests using both consonant-vowel and sentence-based materials to evaluate their perceptual abilities in challenging listening conditions. Multivariate analysis revealed significant differences between the OHL and ONH groups in divided attention, selective attention, auditory temporal processing, and specific speech-in-noise measures. Notably, selective attention to the right ear emerged as a key factor influencing speech perception in noise, particularly for the OHL group. However, there were no significant group differences in sustained attention or working memory, suggesting that these factors may have less impact on speech-in-noise perception for older adults with or without hearing loss. Correlations were found between speech-in-noise performance and measures of divided attention, selective attention, and rapid auditory temporal processing, especially for the right ear in the OHL group. These findings indicate that while both groups experienced challenges in speech comprehension in noise, OHL participants demonstrated unique deficits in auditory temporal processing, selective attention, and speech perception in noisy conditions. The study concludes that attentional performance—primarily selective attention to the right ear—and auditory temporal processing at faster rates play a significant role in speech-in-noise perception for older adults, particularly for those with hearing loss. These insights underscore the need for tailored interventions that address cognitive and auditory processing skills to improve speech perception outcomes for older adults facing auditory challenges.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Auditory and Cognitive Factors in Speech Perception: Challenges of Hearing in Noise for Older Adults

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月7日

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  • Parisa Nooriani,
  • Parisa Jalilzadeh Afshari,
  • Younes Lotfi,
  • Enayatollah Bakhshi

摘要

This study explores the interplay between cognitive and auditory factors in speech perception among older adults, focusing on those with challenges hearing in noisy environments. A total of 63 older adults aged 60–80 years were enrolled, comprising 32 with mild-to-moderate hearing loss (OHL) and 31 with normal hearing (ONH), all of whom reported difficulties with speech perception. We assessed central auditory temporal processing at both low and high rates, as well as cognitive functions, including attention (divided and selective) and working memory. Participants completed speech-in-noise tests using both consonant-vowel and sentence-based materials to evaluate their perceptual abilities in challenging listening conditions. Multivariate analysis revealed significant differences between the OHL and ONH groups in divided attention, selective attention, auditory temporal processing, and specific speech-in-noise measures. Notably, selective attention to the right ear emerged as a key factor influencing speech perception in noise, particularly for the OHL group. However, there were no significant group differences in sustained attention or working memory, suggesting that these factors may have less impact on speech-in-noise perception for older adults with or without hearing loss. Correlations were found between speech-in-noise performance and measures of divided attention, selective attention, and rapid auditory temporal processing, especially for the right ear in the OHL group. These findings indicate that while both groups experienced challenges in speech comprehension in noise, OHL participants demonstrated unique deficits in auditory temporal processing, selective attention, and speech perception in noisy conditions. The study concludes that attentional performance—primarily selective attention to the right ear—and auditory temporal processing at faster rates play a significant role in speech-in-noise perception for older adults, particularly for those with hearing loss. These insights underscore the need for tailored interventions that address cognitive and auditory processing skills to improve speech perception outcomes for older adults facing auditory challenges.

Graphical Abstract