Cognitive Screening
Cognitive Testing Allows For The Early Detection Of Decreased Cognitive Function
A decade-long study by Dr. Frank Lin indicated that there might be up to a five-fold increase in dementia for individuals with mild, medium, or severe hearing loss.
Though it is complex to explain how the loss of sensory stimulation from your decline in hearing increases your risk for developing dementia, the link between the two conditions gives audiologists plenty of reasons for concern.
Helping hundreds of patients and their families live a richer, more independent lifestyle by combining our expertise with top-level technology has been the purpose of South Sound Audiology for more than 15 years.
Cognivue Screening is another breakthrough technology for the early detection of cognitive decline available to our patients.
Schedule Your Cognitive Screening Appointment
The Link Between Hearing Loss And Cognitive Decline
There are several theories about why hearing loss and cognitive decline go hand-in-hand. Four classifications established by the American Academy of Neurology identify the different reasons why hearing loss can lead to dementia.
#1. Common Risk Factors.
#2. Mental Overload.
#3. Structural Changes.
#4. Social Isolation.
What Is Cognitive Screening, And Why Is It Important?
A long-term (25 years) French study in the October 2018 issue of the Journals of Gerontology identified a significant connection between self-reported hearing loss and dementia. The study showed that the cases of disabilities, dementia, and depression among elderly men with elevated hearing loss continued to increase, but those using hearing aids or with no diagnosed hearing impairment saw little to no cognitive decline.
This study supports the connection between cognitive decline and the failure to address hearing loss, causing concern for doctors specializing in hearing health.
South Sound Audiology has added cognitive testing using Clarity TM by Cognivue to help our patients identify and manage cognitive decline, but it also serves as an advanced level tool for developing the right hearing care plan and hearing aid selection.
How Does Cognitive Screening Work?
Thrive by Cognivue provides a personalized, consistent, and reliable assessment of your overall brain health. In addition to measuring cognitive decline, the test establishes a baseline score, which you and your doctor can use to monitor and detect changes as they develop.
Features of Clarity TM include:
- Quick assessments (about 10 minutes)
- Non-invasive
- Interactive and intuitive
- Self-administered
- Immediate results after testing
- Easy to understand results
- Secure and confidential
These FDA-approved tests eliminate testing variability and inaccuracy through a unique software algorithm designed to use patient responses in order to adapt the test according to the patient’s performance.
What Cognitive Screening Results Show
Cognitive testing results provide an outline for you and your doctor to evaluate the various conditions that could be contributing to cognitive decline, such as hearing loss, enabling you to establish a plan of action to limit continuing decline.
Results from testing are separated into three different categories:
- Scores over 75 show normal cognitive function.
- Scores between 51 and 74 reveal some or low cognitive impairment requiring some minor interventions.
- Scores 50 and below indicate significant cognitive impairment for which you need to take urgent action to prevent further damage.
Schedule A Cognitive Screening At South Sound Audiology
Many of the patients we see in our clinic have put off addressing their hearing loss for some time, leading them to begin experiencing some degree of cognitive decline by the time we conduct our hearing assessment. At South Sound Audiology we take our commitment to provide better hearing and improved quality of life for our patients seriously, which is why we have added Cognitive Testing to the services we provide.
If you, or a loved one, are struggling with recall, making decisions, organizing tasks, losing your sense of direction, or other issues related to cognitive decline, contact our hearing care professionals to schedule a Cognitive Screening by submitting the adjacent form.