Auditory Training : Candidates & Methods

Auditory Training : Candidates & Methods

auditory-training-candidates-and-methods

Auditory Training : Candidates & Methods

Listening problems have led to the advent of many improvised and advanced technologies comprising hearing aids and devices. Although all the methods have proven to solve hearing problems to quite an extent, auditory training still forms the mainstay to bring in the quality difference and improvement in speech recognition. The partially corrected hearing problem with the means of devices gives complete satisfaction enabling smooth communication with auditory training. There is an additional requirement of auditory training to facilitate brain reorganization over and beyond the support of sensory devices. Post-placement of devices the adequate auditory plasticity and performance that is expected can only be achieved by means of further auditory training. Auditory training methods prove to be just another alternative for individuals with hearing aids, hearing loss, or cochlear implants. Methods of auditory training are now easily accessible via smartphone technology and web-based formats.


Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye:

  1. Who Needs Auditory Training?
  2. Purpose of auditory training
  3. Auditory Training for Kids With Hearing Loss
  4. Auditory Training in Adults With Hearing Loss
  5. FAQs
  6. Take away

Who Needs Auditory Training?

Auditory training is provided generally one on one basis which revolves around the various auditory skills viz. comprehension, detection, identification, and discrimination. It is done using a range of stimuli like words, phrases, and sentences.

For vivid and accurate speech perception, in addition to hearing devices, intensive auditory therapy with auditory training is required. People with hearing impairment and using cochlear implants or hearing aids need auditory training for adequate compensation for loss of hearing. Auditory learning methods assist individuals in understanding and recognizing syllables of speech. This enhances their ability to listen effectively and comprehend. The training does not increase the hearing capacity or levels but enriches an individual’s word processing ability. Auditory training is advisable and proves to be a boon to all people having difficulties in learning languages or normal individuals with voice processing disorders or adults and children with hearing impairment (HI) or adults who acquired loss of hearing later in life.


Purpose of auditory training

Hearing loss leads to communication breakdown. By means of auditory training, listeners are made to perceive differences in various kinds of sounds via a systematic and purposeful presentation of sounds. The training benefits every individual in some way or the other. The major factor of this variance in results is the difference in training protocol compliance. Apart from an individual’s grasping ability, other contributory factors include higher levels of auditory defect and hearing loss. People using a hearing aid for shorter durations may also find training to be handy.

The 21st-century era has gadgets and technology exposure in all age groups. Interactive programs teaching auditory skills for learners has become an effective way of hearing therapy. Phonetics and vocabulary can easily be taught by smart app systems as gaming and gadget use are so much trending in children of all age groups.


auditory-training-candidates-and-methods

Auditory Training for Kids With Hearing Loss

The incidence of hearing impairment has upsurged and is now at alarming levels. The latest report by WHO reflects 5.3% of the world’s population to be affected by hearing loss; 9% of which includes children. It is critical to rehabilitate the children with hearing loss so as to empower them with confidence to compete with their peers in regards to communication skills. It is vital for a child to undergo speech and auditory training and therapy, post-diagnosis, and placement of a hearing device.

Methods and Exercise

Teaching methods for auditory learners have evolved with time. Lip reading training has improvised to various forms of auditory verbal training. There are various ways by which teaching methods for auditory learners can be imparted:

  • Individually: requires an expenditure on resources and is quite inaccessible due to lack of awareness.
  • In groups: not demanding as regards the time and expenditure involved.
  • At home: can be done individually or in groups.

Offline Hearing Exercises

  • Conversation practice in noisy backgrounds
  • Blindfold practice with the help of a partner
  • Meditation
  • Sound isolation
  • Sing

Teaching Methods For Auditory Learners

  • Angel Sound Training - covers a broad range of activities and stimuli, from syllables, sentences, and words to non-verbal stimuli in both noisy and silent backgrounds. It also includes cognitive activities and music.
  • Otto's World of Sounds - is a multimedia auditory training tool, for children below 8 years of age.
  • Programs offered by Advanced Bionics - focuses on listening for new vocabulary in sentences. Best suited for children of age group 4 and 10 years.
  • Programs offered by MED-EL - offers rehabilitation programs for children. A program called SoundScape is available for free download.
  • Programs offered by Cochlear - HOPE words and Kaci's games. HOPE words is an app that works on phonetics and vocabulary building by means of activities on alphabets. Kaci's games are all about pairing similar objects.

    • Auditory Training in Adults With Hearing Loss

      To enhance overall hearing skill, an individual’s sole involvement, and motivation plays a vital role. Increased awareness of the rehabilitation process among the patients is critical for recognition of the fact that it will result in improved hearing and better quality of life. With more and more options available in easy to avail online and app formats, patients are constantly gearing up to pace with the imposed challenges and improve their auditory skills. A large number of patients also seek the help of the internet for the latest advances in order to manage their hearing impairment beyond the use of hearing devices.

      Methods and Exercise

      Apart from the methods and exercises mentioned for children, the following options are available for adults:

      Mobile Smartphone Auditory Training Apps

      Computer Auditory Training Programs

      • Listening and Communication Enhancement (LACE), Angel Sound, and ReadMyQuips - can be self-tutored at home
      • Clinician-directed training such as Seeing and Hearing Speech, Speech Perception Assessment and Training System for the Hearing Impaired, or Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH) Speech Tracking
      • The Computer-Assisted Speech Perception Testing and Training at the Sentence Level (CasperSent) - can be clinician-directed or self-directed.

      FAQs

      What is auditory training?

      Auditory training can be defined as a method to train the brain to perceive and listen.

      What is the goal of auditory training?

      The goal of auditory training is to impart speech recognition ability and differentiate between various sounds.


      Take away

      Tarang Clinic is equipped with the latest technology and highly trained therapists, ensuring world-class results for their patients. How the doctors give you the desired results with minimal complications, is the biggest relief.
      The team in our clinic helps you bunk all the challenges related to compromised hearing. Hearing amplification beyond the use of auditory devices is explicitly managed by the clinic with results par excellence.