Immersive auditory-cognitive training improves speech-in-noise perception in older adults with varying hearing and working memory
Abstract Ageing is associated with elevated pure-tone thresholds, accompanied by increased difficulties in understanding speech-in-noise. While amplification provides important, but insufficient support, auditory-cognitive training (ACT) might propose a solution. However, generalized effects have be...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-03-01
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| Series: | npj Science of Learning |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-025-00306-5 |
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| author | Vanessa Frei Nathalie Giroud |
| author_facet | Vanessa Frei Nathalie Giroud |
| author_sort | Vanessa Frei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Ageing is associated with elevated pure-tone thresholds, accompanied by increased difficulties in understanding speech-in-noise. While amplification provides important, but insufficient support, auditory-cognitive training (ACT) might propose a solution. However, generalized effects have been scarce, highlighting the necessity of training designs targeting naturalistic listening situations. We addressed this issue by designing a short-term ACT in a purely auditory- and a virtual multisensory environment, targeting both, sensory and cognitive processing of natural speech. 40 healthy older participants with varying hearing- and cognitive capacities were exposed to both trainings (cross-over design), while speech-in-noise perception was measured before and after each session. Immersive ACT exposure resulted in increased speech-in-noise perception, particularly for individuals with more pronounced hearing loss or reduced auditory working memory capacity. These results demonstrate that combining sensory and cognitive training elements, particularly in a multisensory environment, has the potential to improve speech in noise perception. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8350a10085da4d579100b300166b7ff9 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2056-7936 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Science of Learning |
| spelling | doaj-art-8350a10085da4d579100b300166b7ff92025-08-20T03:05:56ZengNature Portfolionpj Science of Learning2056-79362025-03-0110111210.1038/s41539-025-00306-5Immersive auditory-cognitive training improves speech-in-noise perception in older adults with varying hearing and working memoryVanessa Frei0Nathalie Giroud1Department of Computational Linguistics, Computational Neuroscience of Speech and Hearing, University of ZurichDepartment of Computational Linguistics, Computational Neuroscience of Speech and Hearing, University of ZurichAbstract Ageing is associated with elevated pure-tone thresholds, accompanied by increased difficulties in understanding speech-in-noise. While amplification provides important, but insufficient support, auditory-cognitive training (ACT) might propose a solution. However, generalized effects have been scarce, highlighting the necessity of training designs targeting naturalistic listening situations. We addressed this issue by designing a short-term ACT in a purely auditory- and a virtual multisensory environment, targeting both, sensory and cognitive processing of natural speech. 40 healthy older participants with varying hearing- and cognitive capacities were exposed to both trainings (cross-over design), while speech-in-noise perception was measured before and after each session. Immersive ACT exposure resulted in increased speech-in-noise perception, particularly for individuals with more pronounced hearing loss or reduced auditory working memory capacity. These results demonstrate that combining sensory and cognitive training elements, particularly in a multisensory environment, has the potential to improve speech in noise perception.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-025-00306-5 |
| spellingShingle | Vanessa Frei Nathalie Giroud Immersive auditory-cognitive training improves speech-in-noise perception in older adults with varying hearing and working memory npj Science of Learning |
| title | Immersive auditory-cognitive training improves speech-in-noise perception in older adults with varying hearing and working memory |
| title_full | Immersive auditory-cognitive training improves speech-in-noise perception in older adults with varying hearing and working memory |
| title_fullStr | Immersive auditory-cognitive training improves speech-in-noise perception in older adults with varying hearing and working memory |
| title_full_unstemmed | Immersive auditory-cognitive training improves speech-in-noise perception in older adults with varying hearing and working memory |
| title_short | Immersive auditory-cognitive training improves speech-in-noise perception in older adults with varying hearing and working memory |
| title_sort | immersive auditory cognitive training improves speech in noise perception in older adults with varying hearing and working memory |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-025-00306-5 |
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