Efficacy of a newly developed auditory–cognitive training system on speech recognition, central auditory processing and cognitive ability among older adults with normal cognition and with neurocognitive impairment

Abstract

Aim To evaluate the efficacy of a newly developed auditory–cognitive training system on speech recognition, central auditory processing and cognition among older adults with normal cognition (NC) and with neurocognitive impairment (NCI). Methods A double‐blind quasi‐experiment was carried out on NC (n = 43) and NCI (n = 33) groups. Participants in each group were randomly assigned into treatment and control programs groups. The treatment group underwent auditory–cognitive training, whereas the control group was assigned to watch documentary videos, three times per week, for 8 consecutive weeks. Study outcomes that included Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Malay Hearing in Noise Test, Dichotic Digit Test, Gaps in Noise Test and Pitch Pattern Sequence Test were measured at 4‐week intervals at baseline, and weeks 4, 8 and 12. Results Mixed design anova showed significant training effects in total Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Dichotic Digit Test in both groups, NC (P < 0.001) and NCI (P < 0.01). The NC group also showed significant training effects in the Malay Hearing in Noise Test (quiet) (P < 0.01), Gaps in Noise Test (P < 0.001) and Pitch Pattern Sequence Test (humming) (P < 0.05). All training effects were sustained up to 4 weeks after the training ended. Conclusions The present study suggests that the newly developed auditory–cognitive training system has the potential to improve general cognition and some of the auditory processing abilities in both the NC and NCI groups. Because of the short test–retest intervals used in the present study, it is possible that the training effects were influenced by learning effect and, therefore, should be considered cautiously. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 768–773.

Auditory Cognitive Training Improves Brain Plasticity in Healthy Older Adults: Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…One approach is using a combination of auditory and cognitive training (AC training). Recently, an AC training has been proposed ( Yusof et al, 2019 ). Yusof used AC training to improve speech recognition, auditory processing, and cognitive abilities in older adults with normal cognitive and mild cognitive impairment ( Yusof et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Recently, an AC training has been proposed ( Yusof et al, 2019 ). Yusof used AC training to improve speech recognition, auditory processing, and cognitive abilities in older adults with normal cognitive and mild cognitive impairment ( Yusof et al, 2019 ). Yusof used five adaptive training tasks (word-in-noise, sentence-in-noise, word span, word order, and word position).…”

“…A previous study reported that AC training had positive effects on cognitive and auditory functions ( Yusof et al, 2019 ). However, some limitations were noted.…”

“…Second, they did not use a suitable active control group. In the previous study, the control group participants were asked to watch documentary programs on history and literature using the same device used for AC training ( Yusof et al, 2019 ). This ensured that the control and training groups matched in terms of training duration and the auditory stimuli received.…”

“…However, it is unclear which components of the auditory and cognitive aspects are important for improving cognitive and auditory performance. Third, the previous study used different signal-to-noise-ratio to modify the difficulty of the task ( Yusof et al, 2019 ). Although it is important to listen to the words and sentences with noises ( Pichora-Fuller et al, 1995 ), older adults usually show difficulty with low sound intensity level [decibel (dB)] ( Slade et al, 2020 ).…”