Hearing loss affects nearly 20% of the global population, and the condition does more than simply make sounds quieter. Over time, it can disrupt how your brain processes familiar noises. Auditory training is a series of structured exercises that guide the brain in better recognizing and processing sounds, leading to improved communication. It is a common communication-strengthening tool for patients with hearing loss and auditory processing disorder (wherein they can hear but not understand sound).
Most auditory training focuses on the following:
- Sound differentiation: learning to tell the difference between similar sounds or words.
- Sound localization: identifying where a sound is coming from.
- Auditory memory: strengthening the brain’s ability to retain and recall auditory information.
- Speech clarity in noisy environments: developing the ability to understand speech despite background noise.
Let’s take a look at a few common auditory training exercises you can try to improve your communication abilities.
Speech-In-Noise Training
In many speech-in-noise training exercises, you’ll listen to sentences with background noise playing to mimic real-life distractions. This is especially useful for people with trouble understanding speech in noisy environments. For instance, someone struggling to hear the server at The Brews Hall might feel like they’re catching bits of conversation over a static-filled radio. By practicing speech recognition with background noise, patients can sharpen their focus and improve their ability to follow conversations, even in challenging settings.
Phoneme Recognition
In phenome recognition exercises, participants learn to differentiate between similar-sounding words or syllables. A program or partner may say two alike-sounding words, and the listener will need to identify which one was spoken, helping fine-tune auditory discrimination skills.
Text Following
Text following exercises improve active listening and comprehension skills. Exercises may include following along with a book while listening to the corresponding audiobook or reading along in an auditory training app while someone reads to you out loud. This method helps reinforce the connection between spoken and written language, making it easier to understand speech.
Auditory Memory and Attention Training
In auditory memory and attention training exercises, participants listen to a series of sounds, words or sentences and are asked to recall or repeat what they heard. They may be asked specific questions to test their understanding of the overall theme or context. This improves both concentration and memory, making it easier to follow conversations.
Improving auditory discrimination, memory and focus can help you feel more confident in social settings, making everyday interactions smoother. If you want to learn more about how auditory training can complement your hearing loss treatment, contact Torrance Audiology to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists.