Auditory Training

From the chronicles

LACE AI Pro is a missing piece in hearing loss rehabilitation

There is a missing piece in hearing loss rehabilitation. Researchers at the University of Louvain found that three factors impact comprehension as we age: processing speed, working memory, and distractibility (the ability to resist interference). They found that working memory in particular plays a crucial role in explaining age-related differences in language comprehension. The contribution […]

LACE AI Pro Coaching Notes #6

Some people with hearing loss (PWHL) have vastly different word discrimination scores (WDS) between ears. If one ear is significantly poorer for WDS, I recommend initially training with the poorer ear only when using LACE AI. After 12-15 hours of training (roughly a month) with the poorer ear only, is there any improvement in Speech […]

Three things to do when you get hearing aids

In hearing loss rehabilitation, there’s a focus on technology and the expertise of hearing care professionals. However, there is an additional piece to consider: the role that people with hearing loss (PWHL) themselves play in shaping the outcome. Having hearing loss myself, I have identified key areas where PWHL should focus their time and effort. […]

LACE AI Pro Coaching Notes #5

The default training activity in LACE AI is Speech in Noise. Unless it is changed, it will stay that way. To change the training activity from Speech in Noise to Rapid Speech or Working Memory, tap Train > Lesson and select one of Rapid Speech or Working Memory by tapping on it. This selection will […]

finger pointing to phrase trying new things

Flat hearing loss and auditory training

Auditory training is rarely used in hearing loss rehabilitation. Identifying ideal candidates could help hearing care professionals gain experience and confidence with this tool and potentially recommend it to more people. Nadia Abbott, an audiologist, suggested that people with flat hearing loss might especially benefit from auditory training. Watch the video below for more information. […]

LACE AI Pro coaching notes #4

In Rapid Speech and Speech in Noise training, you are asked to repeat what you heard aloud or silently to confirm your understanding. Then, you tap Confirm. The next screen displays the sentence that was just presented to you. You are then asked, ‘Is this what you heard?’ If you did not hear the sentence, […]

Change your brain to hear better in noise

Researchers at Northwestern University demonstrated that the brain actually changed how it encodes pitch cues after auditory training with LACE. There was an enhancement in the transition between consonant and vowel sounds. Better speech-in-noise perception is directly linked to enhanced encoding of pitch cues in this transition period. These changes in the brain are lasting. […]

LACE AI Coaching Notes #3

With LACE AI Pro, there is no notification about an upcoming change in topic, which is the way conversations typically unfold in real life! For Rapid Speech and Speech in Noise activities, training will be easier if you keep an eye on the topic and when it is about to change. Conversely, you can make […]

Not ready for hearing aids yet? You can still do something

The “synthetic” approach of the LACE AI program makes it a suitable choice for people with mild hearing loss who need hearing aids but may not yet be ready to commit. A synthetic approach does not focus on distinguishing individual speech sounds; instead, it uses sentences as stimuli rather than isolated sounds, syllables, or words. […]

LACE AI Pro Coaching Notes #2

I recommend setting up the familiar voice feature in LACE AI as soon as possible. It’s easy to do — see below. Training with a familiar voice changes the experience for me. For example, my nephew lives 3,000 km away and I see him but once a year. We often talk about words and language. […]