Comprehension and storage of sequentially presented radio news items by healthy elderly

In the normal aging processes, complaints of memory loss and auditory comprehension are not uncommon, principally in complex and cognitively demanding situations. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate skills of discourse comprehension and retention in a natural situation, by healthy aged in relation to variables such as age, schooling and cognitive screening measurement. METHODS: Thirty healthy elderly participated in the study (mean age=73.56 yrs; SD=6.26 and mean schooling=8.6 yrs; SD=4.41). Twelve news items were recorded and presented in three sequences of four news-groups. Participants were instructed to listen to the four news items, and upon completion were questioned about one of them. RESULTS: We found no age or schooling effect on the performance of the subjects. The participants achieved almost full scores on all answers (ceiling effect). DISCUSSION: The heterogeneity of elderly and cognitive compensation in natural situations could explain these results of elderly behavior.