Hidden Hearing Loss in Older Adults: Mechanisms of Speech-in-noise Perception Deficits and Associated Central Compensation
The goal of this observational study is to investigate whether speech-in-noise perception deficits in older adults aged 60 years or older with objectively normal hearing thresholds are due to impaired ability of processing temporal cues in speech signals. The study further aims to examine whether cognitive and cortical mechanisms provide compensatory support for speech perception in challenging listening environments.
• Aged 60 years or older;
• Bilateral pure-tone average hearing thresholds across 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz ≤ 25 dB HL;
• Self-reported hearing difficulties identified during previous hearing screening;
• Fluent in Mandarin Chinese;
• No history of otologic disease, ear trauma, ototoxic medication history, or long-term noise exposure;
• No known neurological or psychiatric disorders, or other major medical conditions that may affect nervous system function.