A Study on Improving Speech Perception in Noise and Cognitive-Communication Abilities in Elderly Individuals Wearing Hearing Aids through Web-Based Auditory Training

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the impact of web-based auditory training on speech perception in noise and cognitive-communication abilities in elderly individuals wearing hearing aids. The focus was on addressing communication difficulties commonly experienced by this demographic. Methods: Twenty participants, with over 6 months of hearing aid use, were divided into a training group (undergoing 8 weeks of weekly 60-minute web-based auditory training) and a non-training group. The training program included tasks like listening to sentences in noise, short and long stories, sentence arrangement, and crossword quizzes. Various assessments, such as Korean Repeat and Recall Test and Brief test Cognitive-Communication Disorders evaluations, were conducted before and after training. The Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment test served as a prescreening measure for cognitive impairments. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the training group’s speech perception in noise, recall, and cognitive-communicative abilities post-training. Conversely, the non-training group showed no statistically significant differences. Conclusion: The findings suggest that web-based auditory training holds promise for enhancing cognition and communication in elderly hearing aid users. Future studies could further explore the comparative effectiveness of auditory training by categorizing participants into face-to-face, remote, and hybrid groups. This research contributes valuable insights into addressing communication challenges in the aging population through innovative training methods.