Impact of hearing loss on brain signal variability in older adults under different auditory load conditions.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The moment-by-moment variability in brain signals, a newly recognized indicator, demonstrates both the adaptability of an individual's brain as a unique trait and the distribution of neural resources within that individual in response to constantly shifting task requirements. This study aimed to explore brain signal variability in older adults using oxyhemoglobin (HbO) variability derived from fNIRS during tasks with increasing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loads and to assess the effects of varying degrees of hearing loss on speech recognition performance and related brain signal variability patterns.

Methods

Eighty-one participants were categorized into three groups: healthy controls (n = 30, aged 65.5 ± 3.4), mild hearing loss (n = 25, aged 66.0 ±

SUBMITTER: Wang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11903437 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature