Effect of auditory verbal working memory training on speech perception in noise in older adults

Background: Older adults exhibit poor speech perception in noise due to poor spectral, temporal and cognitive processing. According to “ease of language understanding model” good working memory capacity is required to compensate for aberration in peripheral auditory processing so that optimum level speech of understanding can be maintained. However, there is no consensus on the effect of enhanced working memory capacity through auditory training on speech perception. Hence, the effect of working memory training on speech perception in noise in older adults needs to be investigated. Objective: To investigate the effect of auditory verbal working memory training on speech perception in noise in older adults. Method: The present study involved a “two groups, nonrandom selection, pre-test, post-test” study design. Twenty-nine normal hearing older adults within the age range of 61-80 years and 14 of them formed the control group, and 15 of them formed an experimental group. In Phase, I of study, working memory ability and speech perception in noise (SNR-50) were assessed in both the groups. In Phase II the participants in the experimental group were trained using working memory training module. In the last phase of the study, working memory, and SNR-50 were reassessed. Then the pre and post-training scores were compared in both groups. Results: Wilcoxon’s signed rank test revealed that working memory training had positive effect on working memory ability and SNR-50. Conclusions: Working memory training can improve working memory capacity which can in turn improve speech perception in noise.