Efficacy of Auditory Training on Speech Recognition in Children Wearing Hearing Aids

Abstract

Purpose: Auditory training is known to be helpful for reduced speech-in-noise recognition abilities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 8-week auditory training for children using hearing aids. Also, the retention effect of training was determined from 1-month and 4-month follow-up tests after the completion of training. Methods: Eight children with hearing aids participated in eight sentence-in-noise training sessions over eight weeks (one session per week, 40-minute training per session). Each child completed training lessons concentrating on closed-set speech-in-noise training with matching pictures. To evaluate the efficacy of the auditory training, word recognition score (WRS) and sentence recognition score (SRS) were measured at quiet, 10, 5, 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. Speech-in-noise performances were assessed immediately after the auditory training and again after one month and four months during which no training conducted. Sentences and talkers for tests were different from those used in the auditory training. The auditory behavior in everyday life questionnaire (ABEL) test was also conducted as a parental subjective questionnaire before and after the auditory training. Results: The word and sentence recognition abilities were significantly improved after the auditory. The improvement was observed in both quiet and noisy conditions, even at the most unfavorable SNR condition. The ABEL score was also enhanced after the auditory training. From the individual data, the 8-week auditory training influenced positively the abilities of speech recognition and parentreported auditory behaviors. Both scores of WRS and SRS in noise were maintained until 4 months after the completion of the auditory training. Conclusion: A 8-week pediatric auditory training may lead to improved speech-in-noise recognition and auditory behaviors in children with hearing aids, regardless of listening conditions. The efficacy of the auditory training was maintained until 4-month follow-up.