Influence of Hearing Loss on Self-reported Hearing Ability and Listening Fatigue in Persons with Aphasia

Authors

Ashlyn Kilgore, University of South AlabamaFollow

Files

Description

Aphasia is an acquired disorder, often caused by stroke, that results in language deficits. It can greatly impact a person's ability to communicate with others. Cognitive deficits may accompany aphasia. Additionally, hearing loss is a disability likely to co-occur with aphasia, as they both most commonly impact the same age group. When a person has hearing loss, the quality of the auditory signal is degraded when it reaches the brain. The poor signal quality, compounded with linguistic and possible cognitive deficits that are associated with aphasia, makes it more difficult for persons with aphasia (PWA) to comprehend speech.

For all people, listening takes effort and attention. The Framework for Understanding Effortful Listening (FUEL) model is an adaptation of Kahneman’s Capacity Model for Attention that helps explain the effort required to listen effectively. Increased effort depletes cognitive resources and leads to listening fatigue. Listening fatigue, when compounded with aphasia and hearing impairment, can exacerbate difficulties comprehending speech. This study examined self-reported listening ability and listening fatigue in people with aphasia and hearing loss.

Publication Date

5-2025

City

Mobile

Disciplines

Neurosciences | Other Medical Sciences | Other Medicine and Health Sciences | Physiological Processes | Speech and Hearing Science | Speech Pathology and Audiology

Recommended Citation

Kilgore, Ashlyn, "Influence of Hearing Loss on Self-reported Hearing Ability and Listening Fatigue in Persons with Aphasia" (2025). Poster Presentations. 35.
https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/honors_college_posters/35