Online Training Enhances Older Adults' Speech Understanding

In a recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, researchers from University College London (UCL) have explored innovative methods to enhance communication among older adults, particularly in challenging auditory environments. This research highlights the potential of online training programs designed to help older individuals better understand speech amidst background noise, a common issue as hearing abilities decline with age.

Study Overview

The study involved 40 participants, divided into two age groups: 20 older adults aged between 55 and 73 years, and 20 younger adults aged from 18 to 34 years. Each participant underwent a preparatory training phase, where they were familiarized with three new voices. This familiarization involved listening to each voice articulate ten meaningful sentences repeatedly until the participants could recognize these voices comfortably.

Subsequently, participants were tasked with listening to one of the trained voices while simultaneously being exposed to two unfamiliar voices. The objective was to determine whether they could identify the specific sentence being spoken by the familiar voice and correctly name which familiar speaker it was.

Key Findings

Through extensive trials—468 exercises for each participant—the researchers discovered that both older and younger adults demonstrated approximately a 30% improvement in comprehending sentences spoken by the newly familiarized voices. This outcome underscores the capacity of targeted auditory training regardless of age.

“People often face the challenge of understanding speech in noisy environments, which becomes increasingly difficult as they age. Our research shows that training can bridge this gap effectively,” – Dr. Emma Holmes, Lead Author.

Significance of the Research

The findings indicate that older individuals can significantly enhance their auditory comprehension by merely practicing with voices they are likely to encounter regularly, such as those of coworkers or community members. The training program's flexibility and accessibility, conducted online from the participants’ homes, suggests a practical approach to tackle age-related communication difficulties.

Challenges in Noisy Environments

Challenges in auditory perception are exacerbated in noisy settings, such as:

• Social gatherings (e.g., holidays, parties).
• Public spaces (e.g., cafes, restaurants).
• Group meetings or family discussions.

The study reiterates the need for strategies that can create a more inclusive and communicative social environment for older adults.

Future Directions

The researchers are optimistic about developing this online training into a user-friendly mobile application. A key focus involves personalizing the training experience based on participants’ routinely encountered voices. Furthermore, they aim to explore training applications for individuals suffering from hearing impairments, who often find it particularly challenging to communicate in similar noisy situations.

Additionally, earlier related research conducted by the same team has been published in Scientific Reports, highlighting how both younger and older adults utilize spatial auditory cues to concentrate on specific voices amidst background chatter. However, the capacity to do so diminishes significantly with age-related hearing loss—a decline that can begin even before clinical diagnoses.

References

• Wansu Zhu et al, "Computer-based voice familiarization, delivered remotely using an online platform, improves speech intelligibility for older and younger adults," Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied (2024).
• Andrea Caso et al, "Spatial selective auditory attention is preserved in older age but is degraded by peripheral hearing loss," Scientific Reports (2024).
• Lifespan.io