Perceptual training improves syllable identification in new and experienced hearing aid users.

We assessed the effects of perceptual training of syllable identification in noise on nonsense syllable test (NST) performance of new (Experiment 1) and experienced (Experiment 2) hearing aid (HA) users with sensorineural hearing loss. In Experiment 1, new HA users were randomly assigned to either immediate training (IT) or delayed training (DT) groups. IT subjects underwent 8 weeks of at-home syllable identification training and in-laboratory testing, whereas DT subjects underwent identical in-laboratory testing without training.

Acclimatization in wide dynamic range multichannel compression and linear amplification hearing aids.

Acclimatization was studied in hearing-impaired patients with no previous hearing aid (HA) experience who were fit bilaterally with either wide dynamic range multichannel compression (WDRMCC) or linear amplification (LA) HAs. Throughout 40 weeks of normal HA use, we monitored changes in nonsense syllable perception in speech-spectrum noise. Syllable recognition for WDRMCC users improved by 4.