HearMus - Seminar 6

HearMus 6 (25.03.25)

Music and hearing loss across the lifespan: transfer effects to support speech-in-noise perception
Dr Chi Lo, Postdoctoral Fellow, Macquarie University, Honorary Research Fellow, Australian Institute of Health Innovation

Speech perception in noisy environments remains a critical challenge for individuals with hearing loss. Recent evidence suggests that music processing skills and training can facilitate improvements in auditory perception. In this presentation, the findings from two music intervention studies (paediatric and geriatric) will be discussed and consolidated. In the first study, 39 older adult hearing aid users (aged 57–90) were assigned to a 14-week, three-arm intervention (choir singing, music appreciation, and do-nothing control). Results revealed that participants assigned to the music groups had enhanced speech-in-noise perception as well as frequency following responses after the intervention. The second study involved 14 children (aged 6–9) with prelingual sensorineural hearing loss that used cochlear implants, and/or hearing aids. Participation involved a 12‐week intervention incorporating weekly group‐based music therapy, supplemented with a take-home music app. Compared with an age‐matched typical hearing cohort, the children with hearing loss showed a significant improvement for SIN perception which was mechanistically linked to better timbre and spectral resolution perception. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of music‐based interventions as a complementary rehabilitation strategy. They suggest that structured music training may play critical roles in enhancing auditory outcomes across the lifespan.

Balancing auditory stimulation and noise exposure: Lessons from private and NHS audiology
Dr Alan Sanderson, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UK

Dr Sanderson is a Clinical Lecturer in Audiology. In parallel to his research on tinnitus and hearing devices, Alan works in NHS and private clinical audiology. At the HearMus seminar, Alan will share how he and Conor O’Kane, an audiologist and classically trained pianist, set up an audiology service to optimise and protect hearing for patients that love music. The talk will use clinical case examples to draw out patterns that we can use to improve and standardise clinical protocols for people that play and/or listen to music.

Next seminar:
HearMus 7. Wednesday 11th June 14:00-16:00 GMT (15:00-17:00 CET)
Hearing health in the live event sector
Dr Ian Wiggins, University of Nottingham
Dr Adam Hill, University of Derby

The HearMus seminar series provides a monthly forum for the discussion of a broad array of topics around music and hearing health. The series aims to yield a state of the art of research on music perception and hearing impairment, hearing aids and music, and individual differences in music perception and production. Besides presentations from experts in academia and industry, the seminar series seeks to foster lively discussions and exchange of ideas, with the joint goal of sustaining and enhancing access to music for people with diverse hearing needs.

You can find out more details and watch previous seminars here: https://musicandhearingaids.org/hearm...