Memory
Impairment and Sound Processing Disorder
Sound processing disorder is classified
by the inability to hear or distinguish sounds with other competing
sounds present. For instance, traffic, running water or the sound
of a lawnmower in another yard may prevent those suffering from
this impairment to hear or distinguish sounds from one another.
Studies have shown that people with neurodegenerative disorders
such as Alzheimer’s disease suffer from sound processing disorder.
People who may suffer from sound processing disorder are:
- Children
- Adults
- People suffering from neurodegenerative
diseases
In a recent study doctors assessed 313 individuals;
the average age was 80 years old. Seventeen of the individuals had
been diagnosed with dementia, 64 with mild memory impairment but
not dementia diagnosis, and 232 with no memory loss. Participants
were given tests designed to gauge central auditory processing.
In one test, for example, nonsense sentences were read over the
background of a story. The average scores on central auditory processing
tests were significantly lower in the group with dementia and in
the group with mild memory impairment than in the control group
without memory problems.
Sound processing disorder, therefore, appears to coincide with neurodegenerative
disorders in certain cases. If you feel that you may be suffering
from either memory impairment or sound processing disorder, be sure
to voice your concerns to your healthcare provider.
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