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Speech-memory paradigm: a short-term auditory-cognitive training with natural continuous speech and varying memory load, in audio-only and immersive stereoscopic VR modalities

Design · All designs
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 causal), q3 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description

The training element is a speech-memory task in which participants hear natural continuous sentences with varying memory loads (one vs two sentences, 60 items per session) and answer a verbal comprehension question after each item. As the article describes it, "The AU and IM approach used the same training task and consisted of a speech-memory task, whereby participants were presented with natural continuous sentences with varying memory loads and were required to answer a comprehension question after each sentence." The immersive version presents the speaker via a stereoscopic three-dimensional 180-degree video in an HP Reverb G2 head-mounted display; sessions lasted about 40-45 minutes, and comprehension questions after high-load items always referred to the first heard sentence, with mock items every tenth trial to prevent listening strategies.

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

  • Natural continuous speech material presented at a normalized 70 dB level with comprehension questions to enforce processing
  • Randomized item order and single presentation of each item to reduce repetition-based learning effects

Constraints

  • The immersive environment predominantly increased redundant sensory information given the very favorable listening situation, per the authors' interpretation; perceived immersion was not systematically assessed

Target Learners

  • healthy older adults (61-80) with mild to moderate hearing loss and varying cognitive capacities

Learning Goals

  • speech comprehension of natural continuous speech
  • selective attention and working memory engagement during listening

Claims

Examples

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Key Sources

  • Vanessa Frei & Nathalie Giroud. (2025). Immersive auditory-cognitive training improves speech-in-noise perception in older adults with varying hearing and working memory. npj Science of Learning. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-025-00306-5
Page metadata
Field Value
type design
id speech-memory-paradigm-act-element
title Speech-memory paradigm: a short-term auditory-cognitive training with natural continuous speech and varying memory load, in audio-only and immersive stereoscopic VR modalities
description The training element is a speech-memory task in which participants hear natural continuous sentences with varying memory loads (one vs two sentences, 60 items per session) and answer a verbal comprehension question af...
status review
generated by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-26
trust unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources 1 — vanessa-frei-nathalie-giroud-2025

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