Sign language abilities of older deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Sweden.

This study aims to examine the linguistic and cognitive spatial abilities in a sample of older signers, representative of the older signing population in Sweden. The linguistic skills of older signers, an under-researched and vulnerable group, are poorly documented, posing challenges for healthcare workers and sign language interpreters. Sign languages draw on spatial cognitive resources to a larger extent than spoken languages, rendering research on spoken language insufficient to inform us fully about the linguistic skills of older signers.

Consequently, misdiagnosis and communication issues present risks for older signers. Another concern is that many older signers experienced delayed exposure to an initial language during childhood. The effect of this delay on their later years remains unclear. The following research questions guide this study:

(1) Are STS and spatial skills in older signers significantly affected by aging? (2) Does delayed initial language exposure significantly affect STS and spatial skills in older signers?

The study will compare the linguistic and spatial cognitive skills in a sample of older signers with those in a sample of younger adult signers, alongside background information. The findings will provide insights into healthy aging among older deaf signers. This will aid in developing tools for assessing linguistic and cognitive impairments, and help interpreters and healthcare workers better address older signers' communication needs