Speech Patterns and Hearing Loss May Reveal Cognitive Decline

The manner in which one speaks may help determine if they are developing mental problems. The use of filler words (for example "um"), a high prevalence of pauses, and additional verbal changes might be an early indication of cognitive decline. If the decline is sharp enough, it can spur the onset of Alzheimer's disease. These are the findings gleaned from a recent study performed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

About the Study

The research team had participants describe an image they were shown in videotaped sessions spaced two years apart. Those who suffered from early mild cognitive impairment suffered a much more rapid verbal skills decline than those who did not endure such problems. These findings show there are components of language that are affected sooner than the researchers initially thought. The University of Wisconsin-Madison study was the largest ever conducted regarding speech analysis in the context of the purpose outlined above. If additional testing confirms the study's value, it might produce a direct and economically efficient means of screening people for the initial signs of cognitive decline.

Look for Worsening Communication Skills

If a loved one or friend says “um” at a moderate frequency, pauses from time to time or has difficulty rapidly recalling names, it is not a surefire sign that cognitive trouble is looming. Those who age normally will eventually recall the desired information without having the entire conversation disrupted. There is only cause for concern when the troubles occur at a high frequency across a short period of time. If such verbal issues significantly disrupt communication and the problem worsens as time progresses, there is cause for concern. 

The Importance of an Early Start

There is no known cure for Alzheimer's. Nearly 5.5 million individuals in the United States are afflicted with this disease. Nearly 47 million people across the globe have some form of dementia. Yet current drugs do not mitigate the effects of Alzheimer's. Those who study the disease are adamant that addressing it with an early start is essential. Pinpointing early signs is critically important to the attempt to slow the decline. About 20 percent of those who suffer from mild cognitive impairment develop Alzheimer's each year.

Hearing Loss may Also be Another Important Clue

Another study has shown that hearing loss could be an important clue to the onset of cognitive decline. University of Madison-Wisconsin doctoral student Taylor Fields conducted a study on this subject matter.  The study was comprised of 783 individuals. Fields found those who had been diagnosed with hearing loss were two times as likely to endure mild mental impairment across the next half-decade as those who began the study without a hearing issue. This is not to say that hearing loss is a predecessor to mental decline. However, Fields' finding jives with earlier work that yielded similar results. 

How Family Doctors can Help

Family doctors can help in the fight against dementia and Alzheimer's disease by keying in on certain signs to look for. These professionals should look for verbal alterations, hearing loss and other risk factors such as sleeping issues. In many instances, catching these early signs of mental decline can make a big difference in a patient's life. A subsequent referral to a neurologist where the patient can be checked for dementia could lead to a diagnosis that ultimately slows the onset of dementia.