Technologic advances in aural rehabilitation: applications and innovative methods of service delivery.
The level of interest in aural rehabilitation has increased recently, both in clinical use and in research presentations and publications. Advances in aural rehabilitation have seen previous techniques such as speech tracking and analytic auditory training reappear in computerized forms. These new delivery methods allow for a consistent, cost-effective, and convenient training program. Several computerized aural rehabilitation programs for hearing aid wearers and cochlear implant recipients have recently been developed and were reported on at the 2006 State of the Science Conference of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Hearing Enhancement at Gallaudet University. This article reviews these programs and outlines the similarities and differences in their design. Another promising area of aural rehabilitation research is the use of pharmaceuticals in the rehabilitation process. The results from a study of the effect of d-amphetamine in conjunction with intensive aural rehabilitation with cochlear implant patients are also described.
Sweetow
Robert W
RW
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA. robert.Sweetow@ucsfmedctr.org
Sabes
Jennifer Henderson
JH
D000661:Amphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000379:methods*; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012984:Software; D013067:Speech Perception; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D000661:Amphetamine