Efficacy of Individual Auditory Training in Adults: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Abstract

A systematic review of the literature was conducted addressing the following question, "Is there evidence of improvement in communication skills through individual auditory training in an adult hearing-impaired population?" Keywords and authors were used as search terms in eight major indexes, and seven textbooks were reviewed for related references. The level of evidence that was accepted included randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, cohort, and before/after designs with or without control groups. Two hundred thirteen articles were identified during the preliminary search with 171 of these eliminated by review of abstracts because they did not meet the search criteria. Forty-two manuscripts were reviewed, with six meeting the evidence and search criteria. The strengths and weaknesses of these studies are highlighted, and the systematic review question is answered in light of these studies. In addition, elements critical to the future of auditory training research and clinical practice are offered.