WP1: PLUS-Auditory Training
The goal of this experimental study is to better understand how task difficulty affects on-task learning thresholds and generalised benefits in two PLUS auditory training tasks involving perceptual and cognitive learning in adults aged 18+ (no upper age limit) with listening difficulties. The main question it aims to answer is:
* Does adjusting task difficulty in PLUS, by manipulating the perceptual and cognitive demands of the phonemic discrimination and competing speech tasks, affect on-task learning thresholds and off-task performance in adults with listening difficulties?
Researchers will compare the two experimental arms (easy/hard) to see whether adjusting task difficulty influences on-task learning thresholds and off-task performance.
Participants will:
* Be randomly assigned to one of two training programs (phonemic discrimination or competing speech) within the two experimental arms (easy/hard);
* Perform training for a minimum of 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for two weeks (total 10 training sessions, 5 hours of training);
* Complete pre- and post- training assessments to measure on-task learning performance and change in performance for untrained measures of speech perception, cognition and self-reported outcomes.
WP2: Post-Training Focus Groups
The goal of this observational study is to gain in-depth qualitative insights into participants' motivations, experiences of task difficulty, and perceived benefits across the PLUS-AT training groups in adults aged 18+ (no upper age limit) with listening difficulties. The main question it aims to answer is:
* How do participants describe their experiences and perceptions of PLUS-AT, particularly regarding task difficulty and self-perceived changes in listening, hearing, thinking, and quality of life?
Researchers will explore participant experiences across the two experimental arms (easy/hard) to determine whether motivations for seeking auditory training, knowledge and beliefs about auditory training, attitudes toward PLUS-AT difficulty, and self-perceived changes in listening, hearing, thinking, and quality of life differ.
A subset of participants (n = 20) will:
* Be invited from WP1 to join one of four online focus groups (60-90 minutes via Microsoft Teams);
* Attend the focus group corresponding to their assigned training program (phonemic discrimination or competing-speech) within the two experimental arms (easy/hard);
* Share their experiences of completing PLUS-AT.