Vanessa Frei and Nathalie Giroud from the Department of Computational Linguistics at the University of Zurich have shown that older adults can improve their ability to understand speech in noisy environments. Their study, recently published in npj Science of Learning, indicates that combining sensory and cognitive training elements, particularly in an immersive multisensory environment, has the potential to improve speech-in-noise perception.
In their study, the researchers tested an approach called auditory-cognitive training (ACT). This method combines sound perception tasks with exercises that engage memory and attention. The goal is to strengthen the brain’s ability to process speech, especially in challenging listening conditions. Forty older adults with different performance levels of hearing and memory took part in the study.
The participants completed training sessions in two different settings: a standard sound-only setup, and an immersive, multisensory environment using virtual reality. This immersive setup included visual scenes, spatial sound, and interactive elements to better simulate real-world communication challenges. The researchers found that after ACT in the multisensory environment, participants – particularly those with poorer hearing or weaker working memory – were better able to understand speech in noisy situations.
These findings suggest that combining sensory and cognitive training in a realistic, interactive setting can enhance speech perception in older age. This kind of training may serve as an effective supplement to hearing aids, which often fall short in noisy environments like busy restaurants or family gatherings.
Reference: Frei, V., Giroud, N. Immersive auditory-cognitive training improves speech-in-noise perception in older adults with varying hearing and working memory. npj Sci. Learn. 10, 12 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-025-00306-5
Useful links:
- Nathalie and Vanessa’s research group: https://www.cl.uzh.ch/de/about-us/people/team/neuro.html
Main image: unsplash