Event

HESP Seminar: Auditory perceptual learning and speech recognition in users of hearing aids...

Wednesday, August 24, 2022
12:00 p.m.
Lefrak Hall, Room 0135

Speaker: Karen Banai (University of Haifa)

Title: "Auditory perceptual learning and speech recognition in users of hearing aids and cochlear implants"

Abstract: Recent studies found that individual differences in perceptual learning are correlated across tasks and suggested that a general learning ability may underlie learning across a range of stimuli and conditions. Building on this “learning as a capacity” hypothesis, we have shown that in listeners with good hearing, rapid perceptual learning for speech is one of the factors contributing to individual differences in speech recognition under different conditions (speech in noise, rapid speech). In this talk I will focus on recent findings from listeners who use hearing aids or cochlear implant. These indicate that: (1) With favorable starting conditions, rapid perceptual learning of time-compressed speech can be documented in these two groups of listeners. However, learning is diminished compared to listeners with intact hearing and seems no better than in individuals with age-related hearing loss who are not using any amplification devices. (2) Similar to the other groups we studied, rapid perceptual learning is associated with individual differences in speech recognition. Together, these findings suggest that perceptual learning for speech might form an individual ability that serves listeners when facing listening challenges even when hearing is impaired and amplification devices are used long term.