Differential Cognitive Strategies for Speech-in-Noise Perception: A Comparative Study Between Yoga Practitioners and Non-practitioners

Speech perception in noise varies widely even among normal-hearing individuals and is strongly influenced by cognitive factors such as attention, working memory and linguistic abilities. Yoga is known to enhance these domains, yet its potential impact on speech-in-noise perception remains insufficiently explored....

No immediate practice change is warranted; this preliminary comparative study raises interesting hypotheses about cognitive training and speech-in-noise performance, but sample characteristics, yoga dosage, and causality are not established.

If cognitive training practices like yoga demonstrably improve speech-in-noise perception, they could eventually complement audiological rehabilitation strategies for patients struggling in noisy environments.

1. 01Yoga practitioners showed differential use of cognitive strategies (attention, working memory) for speech-in-noise perception compared to non-practitioners.
2. 02The study is published in Annals of Neurosciences (DOI: 10.1177/09727531261455191).
3. 03Findings suggest top-down cognitive factors — not just auditory sensitivity — shape speech-in-noise performance.
4. 04Cross-sectional comparative design limits causal inference about whether yoga causes the differences observed.
5. 05Results could inform future research on cognitive auditory rehabilitation and aural rehabilitation programs.

PMID

42427968

DOI

10.1177/09727531261455191.

Journal

Annals of Neurosciences

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

3

Population

Adult yoga practitioners and non-practitioners with normal or near-normal hearing

Intervention

Long-term yoga practice (as a naturally occurring exposure)

Comparator

Non-yoga-practicing adults