title: Examination of Individual Differences in Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Formal and Informal Individual Auditory Training Programs.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if patient characteristics or clinical variables could predict who benefits from individual auditory training.
  
  
  
  A retrospective series of analyses were performed using a data set from a large, multisite, randomized controlled clinical trial that compared the treatment effects of at-home auditory training programs in bilateral hearing aid users. The treatment arms were (a) use of the 20-day computerized Listening and Communication Enhancement program, (b) use of the 10-day digital versatile disc Listening and Communication Enhancement program, (c) use of a placebo "books-on-tape" training, and (d) educational counseling (active control). Multiple linear regression models using data from 263 participants were conducted to determine if patient and clinical variables predicted short-term improvement on word-recognition-in-noise abilities, self-reported hearing handicap, and self-reported hearing problems.
  
  
  
  Baseline performance significantly predicted performance on each variable, explaining 11%-17% of the variance in improvement. The treatment arm failed to emerge as a significant predictor with other clinical variables explaining less than 9% of the variance.
  
  
  
  These results suggest that hearing aid users who have poorer aided word-recognition-in-noise scores and greater residual activity limitations and participation restrictions will show the largest improvement in these areas.
authors: Sherri L
authors: SL
authors: Smith
authors: Gabrielle H
authors: GH
authors: Saunders
authors: Theresa H
authors: TH
authors: Chisolm
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Frederick
authors: Beth A
authors: BA
authors: Bailey
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003376:Counseling; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D009622:Noise; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D046709:Pattern Recognition, Physiological; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013067:Speech Perception; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome