Relationship between domain-specific cognitive function and speech-in-noise performance in older adults: The atherosclerosis risk in communities hearing pilot study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between performance on a clinical speech-innoise measure with a comprehensive neurocognitive battery of tests. Method: A group of older adults (N = 250, M_age = 77 years, age range: 67.3–89.1 years) enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study took part in the hearing pilot study (2013) that included testing for audiometric thresholds and speech-in-noise performance (Quick Speech-in-Noise Test; Killion, Niquette, Gudmundsen, Revit, & Banerjee, 2004). This research study analyzed the associations between domain-specific cognitive function and speech-in-noise performance after adjusting for hearing thresholds and other demographic and cardiovascular factors. Results: Multivariable-adjusted associations were found between all cognitive domains and speech-in-noise performance in the full sample, but the observed associations varied when participants with varying levels of moderate to moderately severe hearing loss were excluded from the analysis. Conclusions: The findings are discussed in terms considering the cognitive status of older adults in relation to their speech-in-noise performance during audiological evaluation and implications for aural rehabilitation.