A Descriptive Study on the Effect of Music on Speech-in-Noise Perception in Binaural and Monaural Hearing Aid Users

Many auditory system functions improve under the influence of music. The binaural hearing also plays a critical role in speech-in-noise perception. The present study was done to investigate the effect of music on speech-in-noise perception in binaural and monaural hearing aid users. This study was conducted on 40 unilateral and bilateral hearing aid users aged 25 to 55, including 23 female and 17 male individuals. The Q-SIN test and SSQ questionnaire were used to investigate the effect of music on speech-in-noise perception before and after the treatment. Results of the Q-SIN test showed that music reduced SNR-50 and SNR LOSS, which was more evident in bilateral hearing aid users (p < 0.05). Results of the SSQ questionnaire also indicated that after the 3-month reevaluation, the questionnaire scores increased, and the increase was higher in the bilateral hearing aid users (p < 0.05). Regularly listening to music on a programmed basis improves speech-in-noise perception. Results of the present study showed that bilateral hearing aids had a higher effect on improving speech-in-noise perception than unilateral hearing aids.