Localization Training Results in Individuals with Unilateral Severe to Profound Hearing Loss.

Localization Training Results in Individuals with Unilateral Severe to Profound Hearing Loss. Hear Res. 2014 Nov 29; Authors: Firszt JB, Reeder RM, Dwyer NY, Burton H, Holden LK Abstract Adults with unilateral hearing loss often demonstrate decreased sound localization ability and report that situations requiring spatial hearing are especially challenging. Few studies have evaluated localization abilities combined with training in this population. The present pilot study examined whether localization of two sound types would improve after training, and explored the relation between localization ability or training benefit and demographic factors. Eleven participants with unilateral severe to profound hearing loss attended five training sessions; localization cues gradually decreased across sessions. Localization ability was assessed pre- and post-training. Assessment stimuli were monosyllabic words and spectral and temporal random spectrogram sounds. Root mean square errors for each participant and stimulus type were used in group and correlation analyses; individual data were examined with ordinary least squares regression. Mean pre-to post-training test results were significantly different for all stimulus types. Among the participants, eight significantly improved following training on at least one localization measure, whereas three did not. Participants with the poorest localization ability improved the most and likewise, those ...
Source: Hearing Research - Category: Audiology Authors: Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research