Effectiveness of Computer-Based Auditory Training for Adult Cochlear Implant Users: A Randomized Crossover Study.
Mariana Reis, Catherine M McMahon, Dayse Távora-Vieira and 2 others
PMID 34591702WHAT IT FOUND
Computer-based auditory and visual training improved performance on the specific exercises but did not help adults with cochlear implants understand speech in noise or improve cognition.
A temporary quality-of-life boost after auditory training faded after three months.
Key findings
01Neither training program improved the primary outcome of speech understanding in noise.
02Participants got better at the specific tasks they practiced, but this did not transfer to untrained listening or cognitive tests.
03Auditory training showed a significant improvement in self-reported quality of life immediately after the program, but this was not sustained at the three-month follow-up.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was underpowered to detect small effects, with only 26 participants completing the trial despite a sample size calculation suggesting 18 per intervention were needed. Blinding of study personnel was not possible, which may have influenced how testing was conducted or interpreted. Participants were tested at different signal-to-noise ratios based on their baseline ability, which reduced the number of participants available for analysis for each specific condition. The timing of the retention assessment varied between sites (1 month vs 3 months), although the authors state this did not contribute to the results. The study did not control for cochlear implant programming optimization, which the authors note may have impacted the potential to benefit from training.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the Macquarie University Research Enhancement Fund and the HEARing Cooperative Research Centre.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the on-task improvement as evidence that the training works for listening. Participants got better at the specific computer exercises, but this did not transfer to the primary outcome of speech-in-noise understanding or other cognitive measures.