The need for and development of an adaptive Listening and Communication Enhancement (LACE) Program.
Auditory training has long been advocated to enhance communication but has never been time or cost-effective. This article describes the concepts underlying the development of a home-based, interactive adaptive computer program designed to engage the adult hearing-impaired listener in the hearing-aid-fitting process, provide listening strategies, build confidence, and address cognitive changes characteristic of the aging process. An investigation using a between-group, within-subject design with pre- and post-test objective and subjective measures was conducted at five clinical sites. Sixty-five subjects were randomly placed into two groups, one receiving LACE (Listening and Communication Enhancement) immediately following baseline testing and one serving as a control for one month and then receiving training as a crossover group. Results showed statistically significant improvements for the trained subjects on all but one of the outcome measures. Barriers facing the widespread implementation of home-based aural rehabilitation are discussed.
Sweetow
Robert W
RW
Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Francisco, USA. robert.sweetow@ucsfmedctr.org
Sabes
Jennifer Henderson
JH
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001298:Audiology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D003142:Communication; D032882:Comprehension; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009622:Noise; D012984:Software; D013067:Speech Perception