Cognivue Screening

Early Detection for Cognitive Decline and
Dementia

Did you know that untreated hearing loss has a direct link to cognitive decline dementia?

A decade-long study conducted by Johns Hopkins researcher Dr. Frank Lin shows a fivefold increase in dementia for individuals with all severity levels of hearing loss.

How the loss of sensory stimulation from your decline in hearing increases your risk for developing dementia is complex, but the link between the two conditions is of great concern to audiologists.

At Visalia Hearing Center, we are concerned about how your untreated hearing loss has impacted your cognitive function and increased your risk for developing early-onset dementia.

Cognivue screening is a breakthrough technology for the early detection of cognitive decline. We make Cognivue screening available to our patients in Visalia, CA, and nearby communities as a means of providing additional support for your improved overall health.

How Your Ears and Cognitive Function Are Connected

There is a remarkable connection between our auditory system and cognitive function.

When healthy, your ears provide constant stimulation to your brain, providing information necessary to continually make decisions about what’s happening in your surroundings.

Normal hearing is the baseline level of “exercise” your brain requires. As hearing loss develops, your ears begin to deliver less stimulation to your brain, which means it will do less work.

Like the old adage “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it,” decreased stimulation to the brain causes it to atrophy.

Many of the patients who come to us after an extended period of untreated hearing loss are already beginning to see early signs of cognitive decline and dementia because their brains are no longer receiving the auditory stimuli they need.

For this reason, as forward-thinking doctors of audiology we have placed great importance on offering regular cognitive skills screenings as a component of an effective treatment plan for hearing loss.

Three Studies that Connect Hearing Aids to Improved Cognitive Health

Study in Melbourne

A 2020 study found that treating hearing loss with hearing aids has a positive impact on cognitive health and an improved quality of life over time

JAMA Neurology Study

Moreover, a recent meta-analysis of 31 studies involving 137,484 participants, published in JAMA Neurology, demonstrates that using “hearing aids and cochlear implants is associated with a decreased risk of subsequent cognitive decline.”

Research Published in ACHIEVE

The analysis provided by the other two studies is supported by the release of the recent ACHIEVE study, which found that “hearing intervention slowed down loss of thinking and memory abilities by 48% over 3 years.”

Our Holistic Approach to Hearing Healthcare

Given the clear link between hearing loss and cognitive decline, incorporating cognitive assessments into a full-service treatment package for hearing loss makes sense.

Cognitive problems can often present as listening disorders and vice versa. Through a comprehensive series of evaluations, doctors of audiology can help determine exactly what’s happening. Depending on the results of the cognitive assessment, the next step may involve a referral to other medical specialists.

Schedule a Cognivue Screening at Visalia Hearing Center

We offer Cognivue screening as part of our comprehensive treatment packages for hearing loss. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the best possible healthcare, addressing all facets of your auditory and cognitive health.

If you would like more information or would like to schedule a Cognivue screening, contact us using the adjacent form.

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FAQs

About Cognivue
Screening

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

What is Cognivue screening?

Cognivue screening is an objective, computer-based assessment that gauges an individual’s cognitive function abilities.

It has been approved by the FDA, is protected by 17 patents, and is highly regarded within the medical community as the best means for testing five functions of the brain, including:

  • Memory function, which is the ability to have information encoded, stored, and retrieved when needed
  • Visuospatial function, or the ability to process and interpret visual information
  • Executive function, which controls your ability to concentrate and/or problem solve
  • Reaction time, or your ability to process information and react to situations as they occur
  • Processing speed, which measures how quickly you process a task or situation

What happens during a Cognivue screening?

Cognivue screening takes less than 15 minutes to complete and is easy to administer. Screening begins with an introductory video, followed by two calibration measures. The core evaluation lasts about 10 minutes and responses are recorded by turning a wheel to select the picture that best answers each question.

How can Cognivue screening help?

Keep in mind that the Cognivue test is a screening tool rather than a diagnostic examination. Once completed, your doctor of audiology will review the results with you and suggest any necessary modifications to your current hearing treatment plan.

Is Cognivue screening necessary?

Regular screening for cognitive impairment enables your audiologist to offer the best possible hearing treatment plans, addressing all of the patient’s hearing health needs. One of the major advantages of regular cognitive screening is the early detection of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.

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