Cognitive status, lexical learning and memory in deaf adults using sign language
,
Abstract
Background and Aim: Learning and memory are two high level cognitive performances in human that hearing loss influences them. In our study, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Ray auditory-verbal learning test (RAVLT) was conducted to study cognitive status and lexical learning and memory in deaf adults using sign language.
Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 30 available congenitally deaf adults using sign language in Persian and 46 normal adults aged 19 to 27 years for both sexes, with a minimum of diploma level of education. After mini-mental state examination, Rey auditory-verbal learning test was run through computers to evaluate lexical learning and memory with visual presentation.
Results: Mean scores of mini-mental state examination and Rey auditory-verbal learning test in congenitally deaf adults were significantly lower than normal individuals in all scores (p=0.018) except in the two parts of the Rey test. Significant correlation was found between results of two tests just in the normal group (p=0.043). Gender had no effect on test results.
Conclusion: Cognitive status and lexical memory and learning in congenitally deaf individuals is weaker than in normal subjects. It seems that using sign language as the main way of communication in deaf people causes poor lexical memory and learning.
2. Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Thomas MJ. Principles of Neural Sciences. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. 2000.
3. Lezak MD, Howieson DB, Loring DW. Neuropsychological assessment. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2004.
4. Foroughan M, Jafari Z, Shirinbayan P, Ghaemmagham Farahani Z, Rahgozar M. Validation of mini-mental state examination (MMSE) in the elderly population of Tehran. Advances in Cognitive Sciences. 2008;10(2):27-39. Persian.
5. Dean PM, Feldman DM, Morere D, Morton D. Clinical evaluation of the mini-mental state exam with culturally deaf senior citizens. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2009; 24 (8): 753-60.
6. Jafari Z, Moritz PS, Zandi T, Aliakbari Kamrani A, Malayeri S. Iranian version of the Rey auditory verbal learning test: a validation study. Payesh Journal. 2010;9(3):307-16. Persian.
7. Jafari Z, Moritz PS, Zandi T, Aliakbari Kamrani A, Malayeri S. Psychometric properties of Persian version of the Rey auditory-verbal learning test (RAVLT) among the elderly. IJPCP. 2010;16(1):56-64. Persian.
8. Hill-Briggs F, Dial JG, Morere DA, Joyce A. Neuropsychological assessment of persons with physical disability, visual impairment or blindness, and hearing impairment or deafness. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2007 22 (3): 389-404.
9. Gazzaniga MS, Iury RB, Mangun GR. Cognitive neuroscience, the biology of the mind. New York: WW Norton & Company; 2002.
10. Hotting K, Roder B. Auditory and auditory-tactile processing in congenitally blind humans. Hear Res. 2009; 258 (1-2): 165-74.
11. Rettenbach R, Diller G, Sireteanu R. Do deaf people see better? Texture segmentation and visual search compensate in adult but not juvenile subjects. J Cogn Neurosci. 1999; 11(5): 560-83.
12. Bosworth RG, Dobkins KR. Left-hemisphere dominance for motion processing in deaf signers. Psychol Sci. 1999;10(3):256-62.
13. Tekin M, Arnos KS, Pandya A. Advances in hereditary deafness. Lancet. 2001;29(358):1082-90.
14. Wilson M, Emmorey K. Working memory for sign language: a window into the architecture of the working memory system. J Deaf Stud Deaf Edu. 1997;2(3):121-30.
15. Sommer IE, Aleman A, Somers M, Boks MP, Kahn RS. Sex differences in handedness, asymmetry of the planum temporale and functional language lateralization. Brain Res. 2008;24(2):76-88.
| Issue | Vol 22 No 2 (2013) | |
| Section | Research Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Cognitive status learning memory congenital deaf Ray auditory-verbal learning test sign language | ||
| Rights and permissions | |
|
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
