From Ear to There: A Historical Perspective on Auditory Training

ABSTRACT

In recent years, there has been resurging interest in and application of auditory training activities for improving the perception of speech in special clinical populations such as cochlear implant users, adults and children with psychoacoustic auditory processing disorders, and older individuals with compromised cognitive skills so important in everyday communication. Although as the 20th century ended, interest in formal audiologic rehabilitation seemed to fade, the 1st century writings of Archigenes suggest auditory training has long been recognized as a powerful rehabilitative tool for individuals with hearing impairment. This historical perspective on auditory training highlights its waxing and waning over the centuries, its energetic resurgence in recent years, and its exciting future applications. The contributions and influences of 19th century scholars Urbantschitsch, Bezold and Bell, and 20th century scholars Goldstein, Pollack, Beebe, Carhart, Ling, Ross, Erber, and others are discussed in the context of modern day auditory training protocols. The practice of auditory training in the 21st century is considered in terms of the collaborative, interdisciplinary research of neuroscience, cognitive science, and auditory science.

KEYWORDS

Auditory training retrospective - audiologic rehabilitation

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