Effectiveness of computer-based auditory training for adult cochlear implant users: a randomized crossover study

The aim of this study was to assess whether a computer-based speech-in-noise auditory training (AT) program would lead to short- and long-term changes in trained and untrained measures of listening, cognition, and quality of life. A secondary aim was to assess whether directly training the underlying cognitive abilities required for speech perception in noise, using a computer-based visual training (VT) program without the auditory component, would elicit comparable outcomes as the AT program. A randomized crossover study with repeated measures was conducted with 26 adult cochlear implant users. Participants completed either 6 weeks of speech perception in noise training followed by 6 weeks of masked text recognition training, or vice versa. Outcome measures were administered twice before each training program, as well as twice after the completion of each program. The test battery was designed to evaluate whether training led to improvements in listening abilities, cognitive abilities, or quality of life. Mixed-effects models were conducted to analyze whether changes occurred on the trained tasks and on untrained outcome measures after training. Statistically significant improvements were shown for verbal recognition performance during both training programs, in particular for consonants in words, and during the first 2 weeks of training. This on-task learning, however, did not lead to clear improvements in outcomes measured beyond the training programs. This suggests that experienced cochlear implant users may not show transfer of on-task learning to untrained tasks after computer-based auditory and visual training programs such as the ones used in this study.