Auditory Training and Adult Rehabilitation

Background: Hearing loss is one of the leading disabilities. Its incidence increases with age, and it is associated with health and financial losses. Several solutions have been developed to fight against hearing loss, most notably, hearing aids. Although hearing aids such as cochlear implants restore hearing capacities among the users, they do not restore speech perception, and the people who use them continue to struggle with their speech and communication. To counter this problem, audiologists have developed auditory training and rehabilitation programs which enhance the ability of hearing aids users to perceive speech.

Purpose: The purpose of this Master’s thesis was to explore the empirical available information in literature related to auditory training, review in deep, and use that information to generate best recommendations for optimal outcomes with auditory training.

Method: The thesis used literature review research design and methodology to synthesize the information and draw conclusions and recommendations for the best practices in auditory training.

Findings: Auditory training is effective in enhancing speech perception and communication skills among hearing aids users. The outcomes of auditory training are not influenced by the distribution of training sessions over a short or a long period, as long as the number of sessions is equal. Different tests and measures are available to assess the effectiveness of auditory training. The impacts of training can be seen as soon as one week, although some training can be conducted for up to twelve weeks. Internal factors such as psychosocial characteristics may influence the outcomes of auditory training.

Conclusion: To optimize the outcomes of auditory training and rehabilitation, audiologists should account for all patients’ needs and factors that influence the training.