Objective: This systematic review evaluated the efficacy of auditory training clinician or non-clinician delivered as a supplement for hearing aid wearers for better speech understanding in noise compared to having no auditory training. This was conducted on the most recent literature published in the last 10 years.

Method: A search conducted across three databases (UC Multisearch, PubMed, and Google Scholar) identified 442 articles. Of this, 10 articles met the inclusion criteria according to PICOS. The data screening and reviewing was conducted in the Covidence software by two independent researchers. Quality assessment of the studies was carried out using CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme).

Outcome measures: This used validated speech tests such as the Revised Speech in Noise (R-SPIN) and/or Hearing in Noise Test (HINT), as well as self-report measures such as the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA), the Hearing Handicap for the Elderly (HHIE), Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and/ or the Client Oriented Scale of Improvement (COSI).

Results: Following auditory training intervention, the results varied across studies. Some studies showed improvement in the validated speech tests, however, no improvement was reported in the self-report measures and vice versa.

Conclusion: This review found that evidence in relation to the efficacy of clinician or non-clinician delivered auditory training used in conjunction with hearing aids for better speech understanding in noise is not robust enough. There is need for better standardisation of methodology to allow for better comparison across studies.