Methods and Effectiveness of Auditory-Cognitive Training for Older Adults: Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis.

Authors

Mengyuan Li, Chifen Ma, Piers Dawes, Yanni Yang, Weiwei Liu

Published in

JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies. Volume 13. Pages e101632. Nov 09, 2026. Epub Nov 09, 2026.

Abstract

Auditory-cognitive training (ACT) combines auditory and cognitive exercises to improve listening and cognition in individuals with hearing difficulties; yet, it lacks standardized implementation and consistent evidence.
This mixed-evidence synthesis aimed to map ACT's implementation characteristics and summarize its reported short-term and maintenance effects on trained and nontrained cognitive and auditory outcomes, including hearing function in daily life.
The review followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines and the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review framework. Databases searched included Embase, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and APA PsycNet from inception to July 30, 2026. Articles were included or excluded based on specific criteria, and included articles were evaluated for risk of bias.
ACT showed significant pooled effects on speech-in-noise performance (mean difference [MD]=-1.23 dB, 95% CI -2.35 to -0.10; P=.03), attention (standardized mean difference [SMD]=0.50, 95% CI 0.23-0.77; P<.001), memory (SMD=1.08, 95% CI 0.25-1.92; P=.01), and global cognition (MD=3.27, 95% CI 0.27-6.26; P=.03). Effects on pure-tone audiometry, subjective hearing function, working memory, and executive function were limited and nonsignificant. Current evidence is limited by unstandardized training dosage/duration, limited linguistic generalizability across non-English languages, and insufficient assessment of patient-reported real-life listening outcomes.
ACT may improve selected auditory and cognitive outcomes in older adults, particularly speech-in-noise perception, and attention. The evidence remains limited by substantial heterogeneity, a small number of studies, and low certainty for most outcomes. Standardized protocols, clinically meaningful outcome measures, and longer follow-up are needed to determine its clinical effectiveness and long-term benefits.

PMID:
43002737
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 10 Nov 2026.

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