Auditory training effects on auditory steady state responses

Abstract

Human auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) have been linked to recognition scores in normal hearing and hearing impaired adults (Dimitrijevic etal. 2004). By taking this into account ASSRs should improve over time when speech perception improves. Computerized aural rehabilitation programs such as the LACE program by Neurotone have claims of being able to improve speech in noise perception, such as a 2.2 dB improvement using the QuickSin Test as an outcome measure. The main purpose of this study is to answer the question “Can improvements in speech perception be tracked by electrophysiological methods such as ASSR?”. For this study, ASSRs and HINT scores will be tracked before and after auditory training in two groups of subjects. The first group will be hearing impaired people who have had hearing aid experience before. The second group consists of hearing impaired people who have just been fit with hearing aids for the first time. ASSR stimulus will be modeled after speech as in the Dimitrijevic 2004 study. By tracking these improvements in speech perception objectively using the ASSR and subjectively using HINT scores, the study will hopefully add validation to objectively testing speech perception using ASSR techniques.