Characteristics of environmental sound perception in individuals with hearing loss: Associations with background factors

In this study, we aimed to compare open-set environmental sound perception performance and response patterns across four groups-hearing aid (HA) users, cochlear implant (CI) users, young normal-hearing adults, and older normal-hearing adults-and to examine background factors associated with environmental sound perception in the HA and CI groups.

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

Results may support including environmental sound perception in hearing rehabilitation assessments, particularly for hearing aid and cochlear implant users, though practice change should be guided by the full published data and effect sizes.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Environmental sound recognition is an underappreciated dimension of auditory rehabilitation, and characterizing performance gaps across device types and patient backgrounds can help clinicians set more holistic rehabilitation goals.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Study compared environmental sound perception across individuals with hearing loss, hearing aid users, and cochlear implant recipients.
02Both performance levels and response patterns (e.g., error types) were analyzed.
03Background factors such as age, duration of hearing loss, and device experience were examined for associations.
04Highlights that hearing rehabilitation outcomes extend beyond speech understanding.
05Cross-group comparison design; causal relationships cannot be established.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Environmental sound perception performance varies across individuals with hearing loss, hearing aid users, and cochlear implant recipients.

studypartially supported

Background factors such as age and hearing loss duration are associated with environmental sound perception ability.

studyunclear

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42624746
DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2026.08.001.
Journal: Auris Nasus Larynx
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 3
Population: Individuals with hearing loss, including hearing aid users and cochlear implant recipients
Intervention: Environmental sound perception assessment
Comparator: Cross-group comparison among hearing aid users, cochlear implant recipients, and unaided hearing loss

Primary outcomes

Environmental sound perception performance scores; Response patterns and error types; Association of background factors with perception performance

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