13 August 2025 Wednesday
Hearing and Speech Comprehension Difficulties in the Aging Process
Research Assistant Azize Köseoğlu shared valuable information about the difficulty older adults have in understanding speech.
The aging process affects many systems in the body and causes significant changes in the auditory system. Not only do changes in hearing functions affect sound perception, but they also pose significant challenges to speech comprehension. It is known that structural and functional changes in the inner ear and central auditory nervous system negatively affect speech intelligibility, especially in environments with background noise. Recent studies have indicated that the difficulty in understanding speech commonly seen in older adults is not only due to peripheral hearing loss but also to central auditory processing disorders and neurocognitive slowing.
In addition to assessing hearing acuity, it is essential to comprehensively evaluate older adults' speech discrimination and comprehension abilities. These evaluations should not be limited to tests conducted in quiet environments; central auditory processing tests and tools measuring speech intelligibility should be included in routine screenings.
Social Isolation and Psychological Effects
Individuals who have difficulty understanding speech may struggle to communicate in social settings and they they may avoid crowded environments. Over time, this can lead to social isolation, loss of self-confidence, depression, and cognitive decline.
Early Intervention and Appropriate Support
The identification of speech comprehension difficulties and the application of individualized audiological and rehabilitative approaches are critical to maintaining quality of life. In addition to hearing aids and cochlear implants, auditory rehabilitation programs and individual or group training in communication strategies support the process. When communicating with older adults, family members and caregivers should speak clearly, slowly, and face-to-face, which is a simple yet effective method to enhance communication effectiveness. Difficulty in understanding speech in older adults is not solely due to hearing loss; it is a multifactorial neurocognitive condition. Multidisciplinary assessment and individualized intervention plans can support communication skills and maintain social and psychological health. Increasing social awareness and incorporating comprehensive audiological assessments into healthcare services will positively impact the quality of life of older adults.
