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Beyond the Ear: Effects of Adult-Onset Hearing Loss and Hearing Treatment on Neurocognitive Function & Well-Being

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1.  Which of the following best describes the term cross-modal sensory neuroplasticity? When deprivation in one sensory modality (e.g. the auditory modality as in deafness or hearing loss) results in the recruitment of cortical resources of the deprived modality by intact sensory modalities (e.g. visual or somatosensory systems). The ability of the brain to integrate information across several sensory modalities (e.g. vision, audition). When deprivation in one sensory modality (e.g. the auditory modality as in deafness or hearing loss) results in the recruitment of additional or alternative brain networks for sensory processing (e.g. regions of the brain involved in attention, cognition, etc). When the auditory component of one sound is paired with the visual component of another sound, leading to the perception of a separate or third sound.

2.  Which of the following is NOT a potential mechanism underlying the association between age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline? Hearing loss may lead to increased cognitive load, which may result in long-term cognitive deficits. Hearing loss may result in changes in brain structure and function, which may result in long-term cognitive deficits. Hearing loss may lead to increased social isolation, which may result in long-term cognitive deficits. Hearing loss may lead to increased fall risk, which may result in long-term cognitive deficits.

3.  Which of the following describes neuroplastic changes observed in untreated adult-onset hearing loss? Reduced activation in temporal cortical regions typically associated with auditory functions during auditory tasks. Increased activation of prefrontal and frontal cortical regions typically associated with higher level cognitive functions during auditory tasks. Cross-modal recruitment of temporal cortical regions during non-auditory sensory tasks (e.g. visual tasks). All of the above

4.  Which of the following describes changes observed in adult-onset hearing loss within 6 months of hearing aid use? Reversal in cross-modal re-organization of temporal cortical regions for visual processing. Improvements in global cognitive function as well as specific domains of cognitive function such as executive function, processing speed, and working memory. Improvements in speech intelligibility in background noise. All of the above

5.  Which of the following statements are true regarding the use of cognitive screening in the audiology clinical setting? Cognitive screening falls under the scope of practice of audiologists. Most audiologists do not routinely screen cognitive function in their adult patients. Most clinical training programs for audiologists to not provide education and training in the area of cognitive screening, administration, interpretation, and referral. All of the above