What is aural rehabilitation with hearing aids?

Most hearing loss comes on gradually. It can be so subtle that you may not even recognize the signs, like fatigue, mental strain, or increased difficulty following conversations in noisy environments. Over time, as your brain works harder to fill in the blanks left by hearing loss, these seemingly small challenges can add up and lead to frustration, mental strain, social isolation, and even cognitive decline.

Aural rehabilitation can be a powerful tool in helping your brain re-learn how to process, interpret, and prioritize sounds effectively. When used in combination with hearing aids, it enhances not only your ability to hear but also your ability to understand speech, filter out background noise, and adapt to different listening environments more comfortably.  

• Aural rehabilitation helps retrain the brain. It improves speech understanding, reduces listening fatigue, and enhances communication skills.
• Hearing aids work best with aural rehabilitation. Combining hearing aids with auditory training and communication strategies maximizes benefits.
• Auditory training, speech-reading, and assistive listening devices like hearing aids help people adapt to various listening environments.
• Hearing care professionals, along with audiologists and speech-language pathologists, provide guidance and support for aural rehabilitation.
• Aural rehabilitation improves hearing aid performance. Training your brain to process sounds helps you adjust to hearing aids faster. 

According to the American Academy of Audiology, “Aural rehabilitation uses strategies to improve communication of people with hearing loss.” ^[1]

Aural rehabilitation is a comprehensive program that includes auditory training and speech-reading methods with the ultimate goal of improving communication, reducing listening fatigue, and enhancing the overall quality of life for people with hearing loss.

The foundations of aural rehabilitation and audiology as a profession expanded significantly during World War II,^[2] driven by the need to rehabilitate soldiers and sailors returning home with hearing loss.^[3]

In 1998, Dr. Nancy Tye-Murray emerged as a prominent voice in the discipline with her book, “Foundations of Aural Rehabilitation: Children, Adults, and Their Family Members.” Now in its sixth edition, the Tye-Murray foundations of aural rehabilitation method is considered a cornerstone in the field, providing a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to auditory training, speech-reading, and counseling for individuals with hearing loss.^[4]

Modern components of aural rehabilitation can include auditory training, speech-reading techniques, counseling, and assistive listening devices, including hearing aids, all designed to improve communication and quality of life for adults and children with hearing loss.

The first step in the process, after you’ve recognized the signs of hearing loss, is to seek out an evaluation from a hearing care professional (HCP). You may ask, When is the best time to use hearing aids? An audiologist or HCP can offer answers based on your unique hearing profile. 

While aural rehabilitation encompasses more than just hearing aids, they are a crucial component in the success of many aural rehabilitation programs.^[5]

Adult aural rehabilitation starts with an assessment of a person’s unique goals and goes on to focus on improving communication skills, reducing listening fatigue, and enhancing overall quality of life. Common goals within aural rehabilitation for adults include understanding speech more clearly (especially in noisy environments), improving confidence in conversations, and reducing reliance on visual cues such as lip-reading.

To reach these goals, practitioners and patients work together on aural rehabilitation speech therapy activities, communication training, auditory training, and even counseling.  

Aural rehabilitation is typically provided by trained professionals such as audiologists or speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Other providers, like otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors) and psychologists, may also be involved in offering aural rehabilitation.

Hearing aid wearers should start with their HCP, who can help them find the correct professional for their needs. You can also consult the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for resources and support for aural rehabilitation.

If you’re exploring hearing aid options to maximize the benefits of aural rehabilitation strategies, visit a Miracle-Ear hearing aid center to speak with a hearing expert. We can help you find the devices that match your needs. Schedule an appointment at a location near you to get started.

Aural rehabilitation is part of Miracle-Ear’s complimentary lifetime aftercare, ensuring you get the most out of your hearing aids. Your HCP at Miracle-Ear can support you with personalized aural rehabilitation plans and make recommendations in the following areas: 

• Counseling and expectations. HCPs can offer guidance on adjusting to hearing aids, managing background noise, and setting realistic expectations about how your brain and ears will adjust to ongoing hearing aid use.
• Custom fit and adjustments. Your HCP can fine-tune your hearing aids based on your feedback and real-world use, ensuring your hearing aids are providing the appropriate amplification for your hearing loss and the listening environments you find yourself in regularly.
• Listening and communication training. Together, you and your HCP can work on exercises to help retrain your brain and improve conversations in different listening situations.
• Family involvement. Your HCP can share tips for partners and loved ones to help with aural rehabilitation and improved communication.
• Bluetooth and device support. An HCP can offer guidance and help with pairing hearing aids to phones, TVs, and other devices to maximize usability.
• Follow-up care. With regular check-ins, your HCP can address any concerns you might have, adjust settings, and help you adjust comfortably.