Using Contextual and Visual Cues to Improve Sung Word Recognition in Hearing Aid Users

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Audiology
• Music Therapy

Background:

• Hearing loss is prevalent in older adults, impacting quality of life and therapeutic engagement.
• Music interventions show promise for older adults, but depend on accurate perception of auditory stimuli.
• Nonauditory cues, like visual and contextual information, can enhance speech perception.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of contextual and visual cues on sung word recognition in older adults with hearing loss.
• To compare the effectiveness of visual versus contextual cues in improving sung word recognition.
• To explore the role of music background in sung word recognition without nonauditory cues.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-four community-dwelling older adults, who were hearing aid users, participated in the study.
• Participants were tested under three conditions: auditory stimuli alone, auditory stimuli with contextual cues, and auditory stimuli with visual cues.
• Sung word recognition in the presence of guitar accompaniment was assessed.

Main Results:

• Both visual and contextual nonauditory cues significantly improved sung word recognition.
• Visual cues offered a greater benefit than contextual cues.
• Prior music background and training predicted better performance when nonauditory cues were absent.

Conclusions:

• Music therapists should integrate clear visual and contextual cues into interventions to enhance lyric recognition for older adults.
• These nonauditory cues can improve the effectiveness of music therapy for older adults with hearing impairments.
• Tailoring interventions with visual and contextual support can improve accessibility and engagement with music.