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Perceptual training improves syllable identification in new and experienced hearing aid users
G Christopher Stecker1, Glen A Bowman, E William Yund
1Human Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Veterans Affairs Northern California Health Care System, Martinez, CA 94553, USA.
Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
|November 24, 2006
Summary
Perceptual training significantly improved speech understanding in noise for new and experienced hearing aid users. This training benefit surpassed improvements from hearing aid amplification alone.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNH) impacts speech perception, particularly in noisy environments.
- Hearing aids (HAs) provide amplification but may not fully restore auditory function.
- Perceptual training aims to enhance the auditory system's ability to process sound signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of perceptual training on syllable identification in noise for hearing aid users.
- To compare training benefits in new versus experienced hearing aid users.
- To determine if training gains exceed those from hearing aid amplification.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted with new and experienced hearing aid users with SNH.
- Participants underwent syllable identification training in noise, with immediate or delayed training groups in Experiment 1.
- Nonsense Syllable Test (NST) performance was assessed before, during, and after training.
Main Results:
- Perceptual training led to significant improvements in syllable identification for both new and experienced HA users.
- Training-related gains in NST scores were greater than improvements from HA amplification alone.
- Improvements generalized to untrained voices and were maintained over time.
Conclusions:
- Perceptual training is a viable and effective method for enhancing speech perception in individuals with SNH using HAs.
- This approach offers benefits beyond standard hearing aid use.
- Further research into perceptual training protocols for auditory rehabilitation is warranted.
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