Auditory training and challenges associated with participation and compliance

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neuroscience
• Gerontology

Background:

• Hearing loss causes brain changes impacting sound pattern relearning.
• Modern hearing aids improve audibility but not always spectral/temporal resolution or cognitive skills.
• Traditional aural rehabilitation is often not time or cost-effective.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify auditory and non-auditory factors affecting audiological rehabilitation.
• Discuss essential features for effective auditory training.
• Examine reasons for poor compliance with therapeutic options and explore solutions.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on hearing loss, auditory training, and aural rehabilitation.
• Analysis of factors influencing patient engagement with home-based computer therapy programs.
• Exploration of strategies to enhance patient compliance.

Main Results:

• Few audiologists offer auditory training, despite its potential to reduce hearing aid returns.
• Patient compliance with recommended auditory training programs is often low (less than 30% in one cohort).
• Reluctance to engage in and complete therapy persists despite available programs.

Conclusions:

• Auditory training is beneficial but underutilized and faces compliance challenges.
• Addressing patient and professional reluctance is key to successful auditory rehabilitation.
• Proposed activities aim to increase patient compliance with auditory training protocols.