AUDP 8470 - Age-Related Hearing Loss, Cognitive Decline and Dementia: Theories, Evaluation and Treatment

4 weeks/1.5 Credit Hours

This course is designed to provide students with in-depth coverage of the association between age-related hearing loss, normal cognitive aging and dementia and clinical tools used to evaluate and treat this population. Age-associated changes in hearing and cognitive abilities are one of the most commonly reported health issues by older adults. Recent research suggests that age-related hearing loss may be an indication of cognitive decline. Course material will present information about age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline such as definitions, classification systems for dementia, etiology, epidemiology, clinical presentations, impacts on quality of life, and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying their development. The use of detailed case histories, validated measures of cognitive abilities along with self-administered computerized assessment tools will be explored. Students will learn evidence-based audiological interventions related to age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline treatment and management options such as counseling and amplification.