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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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Assessment of Audio-Tactile Sensory Substitution Training in Participants with Profound Deafness Using the Event-Related Potential Technique
Published on: September 7, 2022
Enhanced visual speech perception in individuals with early-onset hearing impairment
Edward T Auer1, Lynne E Bernstein
1Department of Speech-Language-Hearing, University of Kansas, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Room 3001, Lawrence, KS 66045-7555, USA. auer@ku.edu
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR
|October 2, 2007
Summary
Individuals with early-onset hearing loss demonstrate superior speechreading skills compared to those with normal hearing. Lifelong reliance on visual speech cues enhances this ability.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Previous research indicated enhanced speechreading in individuals with early-onset hearing loss.
- This study aimed to validate and expand upon these findings in larger participant groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the generalization of enhanced speechreading accuracy in individuals with early-onset hearing loss.
- To investigate correlates of speechreading ability within this group.
- To examine gender differences in speechreading ability.
Main Methods:
- 112 individuals with early-onset hearing loss and 220 with normal hearing participated.
- Participants identified sentences from visible speech alone.
- Speechreading accuracy was measured by percentage of words correctly identified.
Main Results:
- Participants with early-onset hearing loss achieved significantly higher speechreading accuracy (43.55% words correct) than normal-hearing participants (18.57% words correct).
- Speechreading ability correlated with subjective measures of spoken communication in the hearing loss group.
- No significant gender differences in speechreading ability were found.
Conclusions:
- Results confirm enhanced speechreading ability in individuals with early-onset hearing loss.
- Lifelong reliance on visual speech cues, especially during language acquisition, likely contributes to this enhanced ability.
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