Hearing health and brain health are more connected than most people realize. Research has shown a clear link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline, and yet most hearing evaluations stop at the ear. At Southwest Balance, Dizziness & Ear Institute, we believe a complete picture of your health includes both — which is why we offer Cognivue neuropsychological screening as part of our care.

The Problem with Standard Cognitive Tests in Patients with Hearing Loss

Most traditional cognitive screening tools — like the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) or the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) — rely heavily on verbal instructions and spoken responses. For someone with hearing loss, this creates a real problem. If a patient misses spoken instructions or struggles to process speech, they may perform poorly not because of cognitive impairment, but simply because they didn't hear the test correctly.

This can lead to false-positive results, meaning a person gets flagged for cognitive concerns when their brain is actually functioning well. It's an unfair outcome that can cause unnecessary anxiety and follow-up testing.

What Makes Cognivue Different

Cognivue is an FDA-cleared cognitive screening tool that runs entirely on a touchscreen tablet. No spoken instructions are required to complete it. This makes it uniquely well-suited for audiology patients, removing the acoustic barrier that skews other tests.

The screening measures five core cognitive domains:

• Memory — how well you retain and recall information
• Executive function — planning, problem-solving, and decision-making
• Visuospatial skills — how the brain processes visual information and spatial relationships
• Processing speed — how quickly the brain responds to and acts on information
• Reaction time — a sensitive marker of neurological function

The test takes about 10 minutes and produces a detailed report that can be shared with a patient's physician if follow-up is warranted.

Why This Belongs in an Audiology Practice

The audiology clinic is actually one of the most logical places to screen for cognitive changes. Patients who come to us are often experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, balance problems, or dizziness — all of which have established connections to brain health. Many of them are in the age range where early cognitive changes are most clinically meaningful and most treatable.

Catching early cognitive decline matters. When changes are identified sooner, patients have more time to work with their physicians, make lifestyle adjustments, and explore treatment options before significant decline occurs.

Treating hearing loss itself is also considered one of the most modifiable risk factors for dementia — something a 2024 clinical trial published in The Lancet reinforced with strong evidence. Addressing hearing and cognitive health together, rather than in separate silos, makes clinical sense.

A Timely Development: The CARM Score

Cognivue recently introduced the CARM (Amyloid Risk Measure), a new feature designed to identify patterns associated with preclinical Alzheimer's risk — before symptoms become obvious. This addition, launched in 2025, gives the screening a new dimension of relevance for patients and clinicians alike.

The CARM doesn't diagnose Alzheimer's. What it does is give patients and their care team a data point to discuss, helping to prioritize further evaluation for those who may benefit from it. Early awareness is what opens the door to earlier intervention.

Who Should Consider Cognivue Screening

Cognivue screening is appropriate for a wide range of patients — not only those with memory concerns. You may want to consider it if you are experiencing hearing loss (especially if untreated for some time), noticing balance or dizziness issues, dealing with persistent tinnitus, are over 50 and haven't had a baseline cognitive screen, or have a family history of cognitive decline.

A baseline result at one visit makes future comparisons more meaningful. If scores shift over time, that's useful clinical information.

Schedule Cognitive Screening in Phoenix

At Southwest Balance, Dizziness & Ear Institute, we offer Cognivue neuropsychological screening alongside our full range of audiological and vestibular services. If you'd like to learn more or schedule a visit, contact our Phoenix office at (602) 265-9000 or reach us through the contact page on our website. Our team is here to help you understand your hearing and brain health together, so you can take action with clear information.