Can we Measure the Changes Following Training Speech Perception in Noise with Objective Measures?

Speech perception in noise remains a significant challenge for cochlear implant (CI) recipients in everyday life. It has been argued that training the auditory system and the brain to use the information provided by the CI is as important as technological advances. However, to date, only few studies attempted to characterize training-induced gains following multi-sessions training programs in CI recipients. These studies reported a range of improved performance on the trained material and very little generalization of training to untrained stimuli. Several issues have been raised following these scarce data, including: what is considered an optimal training procedure (e.g., variable versus constant training material, attentive versus passive participation, short versus long training sessions, feedback versus non-feedback, need of personal motivation, etc), the need of supplementing behavioral measures with objective measures, who is a good learner, and more. For the purpose of addressing these issues, a multi-disciplinary team which included senior researchers from neuroscience, speech science, psychology, computers, engineering and clinical practice met for three intensive days at the workshop titled `UK-Israel SYNERGY Programme on Brain Plasticity in Cochlear Implants: Improving Speech Perception in Noise Following Training’. The workshop provided a unique opportunity to discuss and integrate new ideas in the following areas (1) how to translate basic concepts of general skill learning to auditory training for improving performance of CI recipients; (2) the possible biomarkers (electrophysiological and imaging) of the changes in the brain of CI following auditory training, and (3) establishing auditory training protocols for improving performance in CI and techniques to measure the structural and functional changes in the brain. The presentation will summarize the outcomes of the workshop.