Background: Impairment in speech perception is a common feature of older adults. This study aimed at evaluating the acute and sub-acute (after three months) effects of auditory training on central auditory processing in older people with hearing loss. Methods: A nonrandomized study was conducted enrolling 15 older adults with hearing loss and an average age of 78.6 ± 10.9 years. All participants underwent a baseline otoscopy, tympanogram, audiogram and speech-in-noise test with a signal-noise ratio (SNR) of 10 and 15 dB. Afterwards, auditory training intervention was implemented consisting of 10 training sessions over 5 weeks. Participants were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1) underwent auditory training based on a speech-in-noise test; group 2 (G2) underwent a filtered-speech test. Auditory processing was evaluated at baseline (T0) immediately after the intervention (T1) and 3 months after the intervention (T2). Results: Group 1 were quite efficient regardless of the SNR in the right ear with statistically significant differences from T0 to T1 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006 for 10 dB and 15 dB, respectively) and T0 to T2 (p = 0.011 and 0.015 for 10 dB and 15 dB, respectively). As for the left ear, the increase of success was statistically significant for the SNR of 10 dB and 15 dB from T0 to T1 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively) and from T0 to T2 (p = 0.016 and p = 0.003). In G2, there was a significant variation only from T0 for T1 in the left ear for an SNR of 10 dB (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Speech perception in noise significantly improved after auditory training in old adults.

Background/Objectives: Digital technologies are increasingly used in audiological as-sessment; however, evidence supporting clinically evaluated mobile tools for temporal auditory processing screening based on Frequency Pattern Test (FPT) and Duration Pattern Test (DPT) paradigms remains limited. This study examined preliminary con-current validity of digital FPT and DPT implementations in the Evollu Hear A4A mobile application against corresponding BAPA-PE reference measures. Methods: Twen-ty-seven adults with normal hearing (20–58 years) completed app-based and BAPA-PE versions of the DPT and FPT. Ten four-stimulus sequences were administered for each test and format, yielding scores from 0 to 10. Paired scores were compared using Wil-coxon signed-rank tests, and concurrent validity was examined using Spearman’s rank-order correlations. Results: Median DPT scores were 8 for both the app-based (IQR = 3) and BAPA-PE (IQR = 2) measures, while median FPT scores were 9 (IQR = 2) for both formats. No statistically significant differences were observed between app-based and BAPA-PE scores for the DPT (Z = −0.650, p = .516) or FPT (Z = −0.408, p = .683). Significant positive correlations were found between formats for both the DPT (ρ = .665, p < .001) and FPT (ρ = .614, p < .001). Conclusions: The app-based DPT and FPT showed significant positive associations with their corresponding BAPA-PE reference measures, providing preliminary evidence of concurrent validity in adults with normal hearing. Further studies involving broader performance ranges and clinical populations should evaluate reliability, screening cut-offs, sensitivity, and specificity.

With aging, some alterations in the perception and detection of sound in the auditory system occur and have repercussions in the communication process. The study of older adult's hearing must include the evaluation of the peripheral and central auditory system with the adequacy of behavioral and electrophysiological techniques that include the evaluation of the Central Auditory Processing in order to implement auditory training programs. The auditory training can be applied in different age ranges and are an excellent option for individuals with hearing loss, auditory device users and older adult with difficulties in speech understanding. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of auditory training on older adult's capacities to understand speech. The population of the study was constituted by 16 subjects aged between 58 and 91 years old, divided into two groups in which the type of auditory training varied in order to evaluate the training influence. All the individuals revealed benefits with the auditory training, once the speech perception in noise showed statistically significant improvement. The auditory training will benefit subjects with hearing loss and difficulties in speech perception, minimizing the impact hearing loss has in older people's lives.

INTRODUÇÃO: A presbiacúsia acarreta dificuldades na interpretação do sinal sonoro com uma influência acrescida na perceção do discurso na presença de ruído. Pretende-se estudar as habilidades do processamento auditivo central na discriminação da fala no ruído, em pessoas idosas.MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: A amostra foi constituída por 20 sujeitos, com idades compreendidas entre os 67 e os 92 anos. Todos realizaram otoscopia, timpanograma, audiograma tonal simples e teste de fala no ruído. Este estudo é do tipo descritivo-correlacional e transversal.RESULTADOS: A curva audiométrica apresenta declínio significativo (p < 0,001) com o aumento das frequências testadas, a partir da frequência dos 500 Hz, apresentando o ouvido esquerdo melhores resultados do que o ouvido direito, com significância estatística (p = 0,043), apenas nos 250 Hz. No teste de fala no ruído, os resultados do ouvido esquerdo evidenciaram uma média de acertos de 21,5% na relação sinal/ruído de 10 dB, tendo um aumento significativo (p < 0,001) na relação sinal/ruído de 15 dB cuja média de acertos foi 26,3%. O ouvido direito exibe uma média de acertos de 17,3% e de 27,85% na relação sinal/ruído de 10 dB e de 15 dB respetivamente, com um aumento significativo (p = 0,002) na relação sinal/ruído de 15 dB.CONCLUSÃO: Tendo em conta os resultados, em que o teste de fala no ruído apresenta uma média de acertos inferior aos 50% em ambos os ouvidos, chegámos à conclusão que quanto menor for a relação sinal/ruído maiores as dificuldades na compreensão da fala. Assim, a avaliação audiológica da pessoa idosa deve incluir a avaliação periférica e central.

In the current landscape of hearing rehabilitation, ear mold manufacturing typically involves the injection of silicone into the external ear canal (EEC) of each patient. This invasive procedure poses several risks, including the potential for silicone residue retention and tympanic membrane perforation, which may necessitate surgical intervention. To mitigate these risks, we present the design of a video otoscope that integrates a scanner capable of capturing high-precision, real-time images of the EEC’s geometry. The developed device allows (i) the generation of a 3D CAD model leading to the direct, quick, and low-cost production of customized hearing aids using 3D printing and (ii) the establishment of medical protocols for carrying out diagnoses and monitoring of hearing pathology evolution using methodologies based on Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, the use of customized hearing aids that allow the application of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) and music therapy enhances audiology as an alternative and innovative way to treat cognitive and degenerative diseases, as well as pathological disorders.

Background/Objectives: Digital technologies are increasingly used in audiological assessment; however, evidence supporting clinically evaluated mobile tools for temporal auditory processing screening based on Frequency Pattern Test (FPT) and Duration Pattern Test (DPT) paradigms remains limited. This study examined preliminary concurrent validity of digital FPT and DPT implementations in the Evollu Hear A4A mobile application against corresponding measures from the Bateria de Avaliação do Processamento Auditivo para o Português Europeu (BAPA-PE)—Battery for Auditory Processing Assessment in European Portuguese. Methods: Twenty-seven adults with normal hearing (20–58 years) completed app-based and BAPA-PE versions of the DPT and FPT. Ten four-stimulus sequences were administered for each test and format, yielding scores from 0 to 10. Paired scores were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and concurrent validity was examined using Spearman’s rank-order correlations. Results: Median DPT scores were 8 for both the app-based (IQR = 3) and BAPA-PE (IQR = 2) measures, while median FPT scores were 9 (IQR = 2) for both formats. No statistically significant differences were observed between app-based and BAPA-PE scores for the DPT (Z = −0.650, p = 0.516) or FPT (Z = −0.408, p = 0.683). Significant positive correlations were found between formats for both the DPT (ρ = 0.665, p < 0.001) and FPT (ρ = 0.614, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The app-based DPT and FPT showed significant positive associations with their corresponding BAPA-PE reference measures, providing preliminary evidence of concurrent validity in adults with normal hearing. Further studies involving broader performance ranges and clinical populations should evaluate reliability, screening cut-offs, sensitivity, and specificity.