Is hearing impairment by audiometry as much a cognitive score as cognitive domain batteries?

Purpose To assess the relationship between hearing impairment by audiometry and cognitive domain scores. Methods 124 clinic patients were categorized by screening audiometry into three groups. We examined 20 cognitive domain scores and eight composite scores. Results The severely impaired hearing group was non-significantly older, and had lower function and higher prevalence of dementia than other subjects. After Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons from P < 0.05 to P < 0.0014, the severely impaired hearing group had worse cognitive scores in 16 of 27 (59%) cognitive tests. Composite scores by cognitive domain tests passed were lowest for word-list memory (97% failed) followed by language (84%), attention (66%), visual intelligence (64%), and executive function (61%). Conclusions Hearing impairment was conflated with 6 of 20 domain scores and two composite scores. Correlations to hearing were significant for age, function, and 21 of 22 cognitive domain scores. Key summary pointsAim To explore the relationship between hearing by pure-tone audiometry and cognitive domain scores. Findings Hearing loss is closely related to cognitive impairment in all cognitive domains. Message Screening pure-tone audiometry is simple, easily measured and facilitates hearing correction with amplifiers.