Auditory Object Identification and Location Training and the Acceptance of Noise: The Relationship between changes in Noise Acceptance, Cognitive Functions, and Auditory Training

Abstract

The acoustic environment that a person is exposed to contains many complex acoustic components. Acoustic components which do not contain information of interest are considered to be noise (Kryter, 2013). The ability to communicate in noisy environments vary between people, this is partially attributed to the tolerance and willingness to accept noise (Freyaldenhoven & Smiley, 2006; Nabelek, Tampas, & Burchfield, 2004; Nabelek, 2005; Rogers, Harkrider, Burchfield, & Nabelek, 2003; Von Hapsburg & Bahng, 2006). Previous investigation on the effect of auditory training on noise acceptance showed an increase in noise acceptance after training (Bees, 2016). Bees (2016) suggested that cognitive and attentional mechanisms may be related to increased noise acceptance. The current study was conducted to validate these results (Bees, 2016), and to investigate the correlation between auditory training, increased noise acceptance, and cognitive functions. A group of 20 participants (mean age of 23.7 years) with normal hearing underwent 15 days without training, and 15 days of the Auditory Object Identification and Localisation training programme (AOIL). Changes in noise acceptance were measured by Acceptable Noise Levels (ANL), and changes in cognition were measured by the National Institute of Health (NIH) ToolBox. Results showed a significant training-specific increase in ANLs, but no significant change was observed in cognition after auditory training. These results imply that the AOIL training programme is effective in increasing noise acceptance, but the involvement of cognitive functions require further investigation. Understanding the attentional and cognitive mechanisms underlying the change in noise acceptance has important clinical implications. Many individuals experience difficulty in noise, and the AOIL training programme may be an effective alternative for clinical intervention.