"Training your hearing" — what actually works

You may have heard of auditory training — computer programmes and apps that drill listening skills (such as LACE). Here's the honest picture from the research: systematic reviews (e.g., Henshaw & Ferguson, 2013; Cochrane reviews of individual and group auditory training) show people usually get better at the specific exercises they practise, but the evidence that this carries over into real-world conversation is weak and inconsistent.

So we suggest spending your energy on things with better support:

• Daily, consistent wear — the single most important "training".
• Active listening practice — follow an audiobook while reading along, or the TV with subtitles on, to retrain the link between sound and meaning.
• Real conversations — gradually busier ones. Practice in real life beats drills.

Not sure if you need to see someone? See when to come back to us →