(July 21, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Those with even mild memory impairment may also be suffering from impairments in central auditory processing, according to research published in the Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.

Here are some facts about central auditory processing:

•    It refers to the ability to make out sounds when competing sounds are present, such as hearing a single conversation in a noisy restaurant.

•    It is possible to hear normally in a quiet environment but still have problems with central auditory processing.

•    Amplifying sound, through such means as a hearing aid, is not typically useful.

Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle tested the central auditory processing of 17 elderly people with dementia, 64 with mild memory impairment, and 232 without any memory problems. They tested central auditory processing by having participants listen to nonsense sentences read over the background of an interesting narrative and by having separate sentences or numbers read into each ear simultaneously.

Scores on central auditory processing were significantly lower for those with dementia and with mild memory impairment, compared with those without any memory problems. These findings were significant even after taking into account the participants' age and hearing ability.

We had a chance to speak with Dr. George Gates from the University of Washington who offered some further insight.

Today's research highlights the need to test the central auditory processing ability of elderly patients who complain of hearing trouble as well as those with even mild memory problems.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.