The rehabilitation process for hearing loss doesn’t end when you put on your first set of hearing aids. Most audiologists recommend auditory training, which is a specialized form of listening that helps improve your ability to process, perceive and interpret auditory information. In fact, one study reports, “Although improved technology may partially address some listening problems, auditory training may be another alternative to improve speech recognition in noise and satisfaction with devices.”
One way you can perform auditory training is by listening to audiobooks. We review how this can help below.
Speech Perception
When listening to an audiobook, you can practice perceiving speech sounds either in quiet environments or environments with background noise like Buddy Brew Coffee in Tampa. What’s beneficial about audiobooks is that you can rewind and listen to sections over and over if you missed what was said.
Listening Comprehension
Not only should you practice perceiving speech sounds, but you should also take the time to really comprehend what is said. Doing so can help you follow along with conversations better in real life.
The reason you need to do this is because if you went a long time without treating your hearing loss, the auditory cortex of your brain likely rewired itself because it received little sound stimuli. When you first put on hearing aids, your brain is inundated with all sorts of new sounds and can become overwhelmed. Auditory training can help your brain make sense of all the new sounds it’s been missing.
Pronunciation
Hearing loss has been linked to social isolation. When you’re socially isolated and you’re not hearing what other people are saying, it can cause your communication, including your pronunciation, to become a little rusty. Listening to audiobooks can re-teach you how to pronounce words.
Focus
A lot of people with hearing loss experience what is known as listening fatigue, especially after lengthy conversations. Listening to audiobooks can help improve your listening stamina.
Vocabulary
The more words you are exposed to, the bigger your vocabulary will become, and who doesn’t want that?
For more information about auditory training or to schedule an appointment with an expert audiologist, call Kampsen Hearing today.