Sound Therapy Improves Hearing in Noise for Patients with Hearing Loss
Author Information
Author(s): Ishino Takashi, Nakagawa Kei, Higashikawa Fumiko, Hirokane Sakura, Fujita Rikuto, Ishikawa Chie, Kawasumi Tomohiro, Takemoto Kota, Oda Takashi, Nishida Manabu, Horibe Yuichiro, Chikuie Nobuyuki, Taruya Takayuki, Hamamoto Takao, Ueda Tsutomu, Yuge Louis, Takeno Sachio
Primary Institution: Hiroshima University
Hypothesis
Aural rehabilitation with intelligible-hearing sound can improve auditory discrimination ability in hearing loss patients.
Conclusion
Intelligible-hearing sound therapy can enhance speech-in-noise perception and improve central auditory processing in patients with sensorineural hearing loss.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants showed significant improvement in speech-in-noise tests after intelligible-hearing sound therapy.
- N1m-P2m amplitudes increased significantly in response to stimuli from the better hearing ear.
- Magnetic mismatch negativity amplitude also showed significant enhancement after sound therapy.
- Intelligible-hearing sound therapy can be a valuable method for aural rehabilitation.
- Participants had no history of neurological or psychiatric diseases.
- All participants provided written consent prior to participation.
Takeaway
Listening to special music can help people with hearing problems understand speech better, especially in noisy places.
Methodology
Participants underwent various auditory tests before and after receiving either intelligible-hearing sound therapy or standard sound therapy for 35 days.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to participant self-selection and lack of long-term follow-up.
Limitations
The study did not analyze optimal therapy duration or include more severe hearing loss patients.
Participant Demographics
40 adult native Japanese speakers (17 males, 23 females) aged 68.43 ± 9.23 years with hearing thresholds exceeding 30 dB.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website