Evaluation of Auditory Processing and Working Memory Abilities in Individuals with Chronic Renal Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis

Auditory and cognitive abilities in patients with chronic kidney disease: a comparative study across stages

BACKGROUND

The impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on peripheral hearing is well documented, but little is known about the impact on auditory processing.

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate auditory processing and cognitive abilities in CKD and to assess changes according to the disease phases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-nine CKD patients, aged 25-65 (48 study and 41 control) with stages 2-4, participated. Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT), Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), Duration Pattern Test (DPT), the Digit Span Backward Task (DSBT) and the speech discrimination (SD) in noise and in quiet test were employed.

RESULTS

The comparison between the two groups indicated significant decreases in test scores for the RGDT, FPT, DPT, DSBT, and SD (in noise) within in the group with CKD (p < .001). The SD (in quiet) test exhibits no difference. There were no significant variations in any evaluated parameter between CKD stages.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

The results indicate that CKD can impair auditory and cognitive processing, hence affecting SD, especially in challenging auditory environments. Nevertheless, no significant changes were observed across the phases of CKD, suggesting that impairments in these capacities may appear early in the course of the disease.

Relationships Between Auditory Processing and Cognitive Abilities in Adults: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

The contributions from the central auditory and cognitive systems play a major role in communication. Understanding the relationship between auditory and cognitive abilities has implications for auditory rehabilitation for clinical patients. The purpose of this systematic review is to address the question, "In adults, what is the relationship between central auditory processing abilities and cognitive abilities?"

METHOD

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed to identify, screen, and determine eligibility for articles that addressed the research question of interest. Medical librarians and subject matter experts assisted in search strategy, keyword review, and structuring the systematic review process. To be included, articles needed to have an auditory measure (either behavioral or electrophysiologic), a cognitive measure that assessed individual ability, and the measures needed to be compared to one another.

RESULTS

Following two rounds of identification and screening, 126 articles were included for full analysis. Central auditory processing (CAP) measures were grouped into categories (behavioral: speech in noise, altered speech, temporal processing, binaural processing; electrophysiologic: mismatch negativity, P50, N200, P200, and P300). The most common CAP measures were sentence recognition in speech-shaped noise and the P300. Cognitive abilities were grouped into constructs, and the most common construct was working memory. The findings were mixed, encompassing both significant and nonsignificant relationships; therefore, the results do not conclusively establish a direct link between CAP and cognitive abilities. Nonetheless, several consistent relationships emerged across different domains. Distorted or noisy speech was related to working memory or processing speed. Auditory temporal order tasks showed significant relationships with working memory, fluid intelligence, or multidomain cognitive measures. For electrophysiology, relationships were observed between some cortical evoked potentials and working memory or executive/inhibitory processes. Significant results were consistent with the hypothesis that assessments of CAP and cognitive processing would be positively correlated.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this systematic review summarize relationships between CAP and cognitive processing, but also underscore the complexity of these constructs, the importance of study design, and the need to select an appropriate measure. The relationship between auditory and cognitive abilities is complex but can provide informative context when creating clinical management plans. This review supports a need to develop guidelines and training for audiologists who wish to consider individual central auditory and cognitive abilities in patient care.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24855174.

The Effect of Hemodialysis on Spectral and Temporal Processing Abilities and Speech Perception in Noise among Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease

INTRODUCTION

The effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hearing is well documented in the literature. Several studies have investigated the effect of hemodialysis on the peripheral auditory system among individuals with CKD. However, studies investigating the effect of hemodialysis on speech perception and auditory processing abilities are limited. The present study investigated the effect of hemodialysis on few auditory processing abilities and speech perception in noise among adults with CKD.

METHODS

A total of 25 adults with CKD undergoing hemodialysis regularly participated in the study. Spectral ripple discrimination threshold (SRDT), gap detection threshold (GDT), amplitude-modulation detection threshold (AMDT), and speech recognition threshold in noise (SRTn) were measured before and after hemodialysis. Paired samples "t" test was carried out to investigate the effect of hemodialysis on thresholds.

RESULTS

Results showed a significant improvement for SRDT, GDT, AMDT, and SRTn after hemodialysis among individuals with CKD.

DISCUSSION

Hemodialysis showed a positive effect on speech perception in noise and auditory processing abilities among individuals with CKD.