Central Auditory Processing and Cognitive  Function in Men with Normal Hearing Exposed to Industrial or Leisure Noises

Negar  Azizi; Vida  Rahimi; Elham  Tavanai; Elham  Faghihzadeh; Ghassem  Mohammadkhani; Sirvan  Najafi

doi:10.18502/avr.v35i1.20581

Negar Azizi Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Vida Rahimi Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Elham Tavanai Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Elham Faghihzadeh Independent Researcher, Tehran, Iran
Ghassem Mohammadkhani Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sirvan Najafi Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/avr.v35i1.20581

Keywords: Leisure noise exposure; personal listening devices; occupational noise exposure; cognitive ability; central auditory processing disorders; attention

Abstract

Background and Aim: Noise can lead to temporary or permanent changes in the structure and function of the peripheral and central auditory systems when experienced at high sound pressure levels over time. This study aimed to examine the effects of industrial noise and leisure noise from Personal Listening Devices (PLDs) on central auditory processing and cognitive functions in men with normal hearing.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 136 men aged 20–40 were divided into three groups: leisure noise-exposed group due to PLD use (n=45), industrial noise-exposed group (n=46; average Leq<90 dB (A)/8 hours), and control group (n=45, with no history of noise exposure). All participants had normal audiograms. To evaluate central auditory processing, we used the dichotic digits test, the duration pattern sequence test, and the quick speech-in- noise test. Cognitive abilities were assessed using the Rey auditory verbal learning test and the semantic Stroop test.

Results: The industrial noise-exposed group had significantly lower scores in all central auditory and cognitive tests compared to the leisure noise-exposed and non-exposed groups (except for the reaction time and the semantic Stroop test). The leisure noise-exposed group also showed impairments in speech-in-noise perception, short-term memory, and selective attention relative to the non-exposed group. Additionally, a negative correlation was found between noise exposure level and speech-in-noise performance.

Conclusion: Both industrial and PLD noise exposure can impair central auditory and cognitive functions in men with normal hearing, highlighting the need for broader assessments in noise exposure monitoring.