How should we test whether speech is understood, so we have an accurate picture of the processes that support comprehension? The answer turns out to be rather simple: besides looking at how accurate the responses are, measure how fast they are given.
Sadly, many of our cognitive abilities decline when we age, making it more difficult for older people to cope with complex listening situations of everyday life. Fortunately, older people seem to be able to rely on their preserved language skills and vocabulary to successfully compensate for these negative changes.