Just like how a grand symphony can lose its clarity as the orchestra ages, the auditory system of elderly individuals experiences a decline in speech perception. Researchers used two different models – one like a cool science calculator and another like a magical algorithmic forest – to understand the relationship between hearing loss, age, and speech perception. They examined a whopping 19,801 ears to explore how different audiograms affect speech recognition across different stages of life. Surprisingly, they found that speech scores were influenced by both the type of hearing loss and the decade of life. Even if the pure-tone thresholds remained constant, speech recognition declined up to 25 percentage points over the whole lifespan, with each passing decade adding a decrease of 10 percentage points. This decline couldn’t be attributed solely to elevated hearing thresholds measured by pure-tone audiometry. So if you’re interested in how speech perception evolves with age and want to dive into the fascinating research, check out the link below!
Hearing loss is one of the most common disorders worldwide. It affects communicative abilities in all age groups. However, it is well known that elderly people suffer more frequently from hearing loss. Two different model approaches were employed: A generalised linear model and a random forest regression model were used to quantify the relationship between pure-tone hearing loss, age, and speech perception. Both models were applied to a large clinical data set of 19,801 ears, covering all degrees of hearing loss. They allow the estimation of age-related decline in speech recognition for different types of audiograms. Our results show that speech scores depend on the specific type of hearing loss and life decade. We found age effects for all degrees of hearing loss. A deterioration in speech recognition of up to 25 percentage points across the whole life span was observed for constant pure-tone thresholds. The largest decrease was 10 percentage points per life decade. This age-related decline in speech recognition cannot be explained by elevated hearing thresholds as measured by pure-tone audiometry.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.