The impact of cognition on hearTest administration in older adults receiving home care

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Abstract
This study investigated the impact of cognitive function on the administration of the hearTest automated hearing test in older adults. The relationship between Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score and three hearTest metrics (false response rate, standard deviation of response time, and test duration) was analysed. A cross-sectional correlational design was used. Testing was conducted in participants' homes or retirement villages. One hundred and five older adults (aged 67-97 years) receiving home-based aged care with MoCA scores ranging between 5 (possible dementia) and 30 (healthy cognition). There was no relationship between MoCA score and false response rate (r = -0.12, CI = -0.42 to 0.06, p = 0.22) or standard deviation of response time (r = -0.11, CI = -0.33 to 0.04, p = 0.27). There was a moderate sized correlation between MoCA score and test duration (r = -0.31, CI = - 0.49 to - 0.15, p = 0.001), indicating longer test duration with lower MoCA scores. hearTest performance is not impacted by cognitive ability in a population of older adults that included people living with dementia. However, additional test time may be needed for hearTest administration for individuals with cognitive impairment.
Funding Information
  • Dementia Ageing and Aged Care Mission (2024352 MRFF Dementia Ageing & Aged Care Mission)

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