Multitasking, such as listening while balancing, relies on integrated processing in the sensory, cognitive, and motor systems; systems that often decline with age. Hearing loss is linked to increased risks of both falls and cognitive decline. Improving cognitive processing through executive function (EF) training may support balance, especially in older adults with hearing loss....
If executive function training is shown to improve dual-task and balance performance in adults with hearing loss, audiologists may consider recommending cognitive training as a complement to hearing rehabilitation, but results should be reviewed before changing practice.
Demonstrating that cognitive training can offset the balance and dual-task deficits linked to hearing loss would broaden the scope of auditory rehabilitation beyond hearing aids alone.
- 01Investigated whether executive function training improves balance in adults with and without hearing loss.
- 02Measured auditory-cognitive dual-task performance (doing a listening task while performing another task simultaneously).
- 03Included both hearing-loss and normal-hearing groups, enabling direct comparison.
- 04Published in PLOS ONE, a broad-scope peer-reviewed journal.
- 05Findings could support cognitive training as part of hearing rehabilitation programs.
Executive function training improves balance performance in adults with hearing loss.
studyunclearExecutive function training improves auditory-cognitive dual-task performance in adults with hearing loss.
studyunclear- PMID
- 42054294
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0331276.
- Journal
- PLOS ONE
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Adults with and without hearing loss
- Intervention
- Executive function training
- Comparator
- Adults without hearing loss; likely also a no-training or control condition
Primary outcomes
Balance performance; Auditory-cognitive dual-task performance