This information aims to introduce some exercises to try and gradually improve your ability to hear in difficult listening environments.
Listening exercises are only useful if you do them regularly, i.e. at least 3-4 times a week for six weeks. They also need to be sufficiently challenging.
- Try reading or doing a crossword while the radio is on to get used to blocking out background noise whilst concentrating on another task.
- Try having a conversation in a room with some background noise e.g. where the TV is on, a tap is running or there is some music playing. Turn down the background until you can hear the conversation clearly then gradually increase it or add in an extra sound source. This will help the brain practice filtering noise in a controlled environment.
- Have a conversation on the telephone where there is poor reception and the speech may cut in and out or where there are competing background noises. This makes the brain try to piece together conversation so it makes sense.
- Try listening to short story audio books which are in a different accent to that which you are used to. Accents are more challenging to listen to as the brain needs to figure out what parts of the speech are not clear or that sound different.
- Musical training has been shown to improve the brains ability in detecting differences in sounds and musicians tend to have a better ability to hear speech in noisy environments. It may help to try and learn to play an instrument which will challenge the brain’s timing skills.
- Pick a song you really like and listen to it carefully. Concentrate hard on picking up every word or a particular instrument, you may find you notice things you previously hadn’t.
- Computer based auditory training – there are a few programs available on the internet which offer listening exercises and can be useful to objectively record your progress; however these are not all free to use.
- Memory games – this can be helpful in strengthening the auditory memory. Get someone to work with you to help you practice remembering directions; telephone numbers or a list of names.
- Try a word game with someone where you say a word and they say an word starting with the end letter of your word e.g. cat, tap, park, key
- Try a localise and identify game. Go out to different locations and try listening and identifying all the different sounds you can hear and where they are coming from. The more varied the environments the more varied and challenging the sounds will be.
- Use communication strategies when in difficult listening situations – see separate sheet.
- Try lip reading training to make the most of visual clues when talking to people.
- Attend relaxation classes to reduce any anxiety felt from struggling to hear.
Any questions?
If you have any questions please contact the Audiology department on 0191 223 1043 between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email us at: tnu-tr.audiology@nhs.uk
