I wanted to share a quick update regarding my attempt to improve speech-in-noise recognition. For those of us over 60, the so-called cocktail party effect becomes a real struggle even with high-end aids. About six months ago, I started a structured regimen of auditory training exercises—basically software-based drills designed to help the brain filter out background clutter. I wasn’t expecting a miracle, and I want to be clear that my actual hearing thresholds haven’t changed a bit on an audiogram.
However, the practical results in social settings have been interesting. I’ve been keeping a log of my success rate at our weekly bridge club and during Sunday dinners. Early on, I found myself withdrawing because the mental fatigue of decoding speech was just too much. After about three months of twenty-minute sessions, four times a week, the fatigue started to lift slightly. It’s hard to quantify because there are so many variables—room acoustics, how loud my grandkids are being, or even how well I slept the night before.
What I’ve observed is that I’m guessing less. I’m catching the consonants more reliably, which helps my brain fill in the gaps without that split-second delay that usually makes me lose the thread of a conversation. It isn’t perfect, and I still struggle in rooms with high ceilings or hard floors. I can’t say for sure if it’s the software or just me becoming more conscious of my listening habits, but the trend is positive. If you’re looking for a quick fix, this isn’t it, but for those willing to put in the time, there might be some marginal gains worth chasing.
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The mental fatigue is the worst part. People don’t realize how exhausting it is just to listen.
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Which software are you using? I’ve seen a few apps advertised but wasn’t sure if they were worth the subscription fee.
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I tried something similar last year. I think the ‘guessing’ part you mentioned is key. Once you stop falling behind the conversation, the anxiety drops too.
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I’ve been working on my focus during these drills too. I started taking AudiFort to see if it would help with the biological side of my signaling, and it feels like my clarity is a bit more stable during the training sessions now.
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Interesting results. I’ve always been skeptical of the brain gym stuff, but your point about catching consonants makes sense. That’s usually where I fail.
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How long did it take before you actually noticed a difference in a real restaurant? I’m on week three and feel like I’m just playing a game.
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David, thanks for the update. It’s good to see a realistic take instead of those ‘miracle cure’ posts we usually see.
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I found that lighting helps too. If I can see the person’s face clearly while my brain does its work, the success rate goes way up.
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I had a similar experience with a 12-week course. The audiologist told me that my brain had basically ‘forgotten’ how to prioritize speech over background noise. It’s like physical therapy but for your ears. It’s tedious but the fatigue reduction is real.
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Is there a free version of these exercises or do they all require a monthly fee?
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Keep it up! Even a 10% improvement in comprehension makes a huge difference in social confidence.
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Did you have to adjust your hearing aid programs during this time? I wonder if a different setting would complement the training.
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This gives me some hope. I’ve been avoiding my bridge group lately for this exact reason. Might be time to start some drills.
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