Research at the Multisensory and Auditory Perception Laboratory (MAPLab) While hearing devices significantly improve audibility, they do not fully address challenges such as speech understanding in noisy environments 1 or music perception. 2-6 These unmet needs reflect a combination of technological limitations, peripheral alterations, and changes in central auditory processing linked to auditory deprivation....
No immediate practice change; this is a research-program overview highlighting emerging multisensory and technology-based interventions that are not yet validated for routine clinical use.
Addressing the residual gaps in speech-in-noise performance and music perception after hearing-device fitting is one of the field's most pressing unmet needs, and multisensory approaches may offer complementary solutions.
- 01MAPLab (Université Laval / CERVO) investigates music, touch, and emerging tech for hearing health.
- 02Focus areas include speech understanding in noise and music perception — limitations not fully solved by current hearing devices.
- 03Multisensory stimulation (e.g., tactile/vibrotactile) is being explored as a complement to auditory devices.
- 04Research bridges neuroscience and audiology clinical needs.
- 05Findings are preliminary; no validated clinical protocols are described.
Current hearing devices do not fully address speech understanding in noise and music perception.
opinionsupportedMusic and touch-based interventions can address unmet hearing health needs beyond what hearing devices provide.
studypartially supported- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- na
- Population
- Not specified; research program overview covering hearing loss populations
- Intervention
- Music-based interventions, vibrotactile (touch) stimulation, and emerging technologies for hearing health
Primary outcomes
Speech understanding in noise; Music perception