Importance of auditory training for older adults with hearing loss

Auditory training, also known as auditory therapy or auditory rehabilitation, is a type of training program designed to improve listening and communication skills, particularly for individuals with hearing impairments, auditory processing disorders (APD), or language processing difficulties.

The goals of auditory training may include:

• Improving speech recognition and comprehension

• Enhancing auditory processing skills, such as sound localization and separation

• Increasing listening accuracy and attention

• Developing strategies for communication in noisy environments

Auditory Training Exercises include -

• Listening to audiobooks or podcasts with background noise: Improves auditory attention and filtering.

• Identifying sounds in a noisy environment: Enhances auditory processing and sound localization.

• Repeating phrases or sentences with varying levels of distortion: Improves auditory comprehension and speech recognition.

• Auditory memory games: Involves remembering sequences of sounds, words, or numbers to improve auditory working memory.

Music-Based Training includes

• Music therapy: Trained therapists use music to improve auditory processing, memory, and cognitive function.

• Melodic intonation therapy: Uses music to improve speech and language skills in individuals with neurological disorders.

• Online applications

  
  

Resources:

1. Auditory Training (app): Offers exercises to improve auditory processing, attention, and memory.

2. Listen and Learn (website): Provides auditory training exercises and resources for adults and children.

3. The Listening Program (website): Offers music-based auditory training programs for adults and children.

In conclusion, auditory training for older adults with hearing loss is important for several reasons:

• Improves communication skills.

• Enhances quality of life.

• Supports social engagement.

• Optimizes hearing aid benefit.

• Improves hearing aid satisfaction.

• Can be tailored to individual needs

Overall, auditory training is a valuable tool for older adults with hearing loss, offering numerous benefits that can improve communication, cognitive health, and overall quality of life. Consult with an audiologist or healthcare professional to determine the best auditory training program for your specific needs and goals.

The daily listening exercises I have done for the past 13 years consist of activities designed to improve my auditory skills. My first exercise was, for example, listening to the "Peter and the Wolf", a symphonic tale for children These listening exercises really improved my situation, and I will never stop doing them.

I am willing to present a 1-hour online music appreciation session and share with those who are interested in how I structure my daily listening exercises.

Also read the following article:

https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/Fulltext/2019/01000/Training_Older_Adults_to_Hear_Better.14.aspx