Grant: Project Grant

Canadians are living longer than ever before. Unfortunately for too many people, those added years are not always experienced in good health. Deficits in the ability to comprehend speech in the presence of noise are amongst the most common difficulties experienced by elderly adults. These deficits can have devastating functional consequences, often leading to avoidance of social situations and reduced number of working years. Unfortunately, the causes of these difficulties are still unclear and treatment options are limited. A growing number of studies suggest that hearing loss and brain aging are the main causes of these difficulties, but additional evidence is needed to fully understand, and ultimately cure, these difficulties. Preliminary data from our team indicate that non-invasive brain stimulation can reduce these difficulties. The objectives of this project are twofold. (1) To identify the brain disruptions associated with speech processing difficulties in healthy older adults and in those with cognitive impairment and hearing loss. (2) To use this knowledge to develop rehabilitation interventions to reduce speech in noise difficulties in healthy older adults and in those with cognitive impairment and hearing loss. To achieve these goals, two studies will be conducted using a combination of non-invasive brain stimulation, magnetic resonance imaging and behavioural tests. The knowledge that will be generated will be critical in developing new rehabilitation interventions for speech perception in noise deficits. These interventions will be adapted to the needs of those older adults living with cognitive impairment and hearing loss. Such interventions could allow older adults to enjoy or regain social interactions and actively participate in their communities for more years.