It is one of the most common things we hear in our clinic: “I can hear people talking, I just can’t make out what they’re saying.” Especially in a busy cafe, at a family dinner, or when someone speaks quickly.
If that sounds familiar, here is the part most people do not realise: the problem is often not just your ears. It is how your brain processes sound. And just like your body, your brain can be trained.
That is exactly what LACE AI PRO does, and we are genuinely excited to now offer this brain training program at Hearing Sense.
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Why You Can Hear But Not Understand
Your ears collect sound, but it is your brain that turns that sound into meaning. When hearing has been reduced for a while, even mildly, the brain gradually becomes less practised at the listening skills it once did automatically: picking a voice out of background noise, keeping up with fast talkers, and remembering what was just said.
This is why hearing loss is really about clarity of speech, not just volume. Well-fitted hearing aids do a wonderful job of restoring the volume and clarity you have been missing, which makes a real difference in tricky settings like a noisy restaurant or a busy party. Sometimes, though, your brain needs a little extra support to filter, prioritise and decipher all that sound, particularly after a period of reduced hearing. That is exactly where LACE comes in, working alongside your hearing aids to turn richer sound into effortless understanding.
There is another reason not to leave it too long: when the brain goes without certain sounds for an extended period, it can actually begin to forget them. The listening pathways need exercise to stay sharp, which is one more reason to act sooner rather than later.
What is LACE AI PRO?
LACE stands for Listening and Communication Enhancement. Developed by Neurotone, it is a guided auditory training program that works like a gym workout for your listening brain.
LACE AI PRO retrains how your brain interprets what you hear. You complete short, structured listening exercises that gently challenge you, and the program adapts in real time. Doing well? It nudges the difficulty up. Finding it tough? It eases back. Your brain is always working at just the right level to improve without feeling overwhelmed.
The training includes:
- Speech in background noise, recreating real-life situations like restaurants and social gatherings. You listen to short sentences and repeat what you heard.
- Rapid speech training, perfect for keeping up with fast talkers.
- Memory and missing word exercises, which strengthen how you use context to fill in the gaps of a sentence, a skill great listeners use constantly.
And here is our favourite part: you can personalise your training with familiar voices. The people you most want to hear clearly are usually the ones closest to you, so LACE AI PRO lets you train with the voices of your partner, children or grandchildren. Your brain literally gets better at understanding the people you love.
Does Auditory Training Actually Work?
Yes, and this is not a new fad. LACE is backed by more than 20 years of research. In the original published study, researchers Sweetow and Sabes found that adults who completed the four-week LACE program showed significant improvements in understanding speech in noise, along with gains in processing speed and auditory memory. Encouragingly, the skills learned in training transferred to listening tests the participants had never practised.
Interestingly, the people who struggled the most at the start tended to show the greatest improvement, so if noisy environments are your biggest frustration, you are exactly who this program was designed for.
The real-world result our patients notice is simpler to describe: conversations take less effort. And that matters more than most people realise, because the constant strain of decoding unclear speech is exhausting. We have written before about the hidden link between hearing loss and fatigue, and easing that listening effort is one of the biggest quality-of-life wins we see.
What Does It Involve?
This is the bit that surprises people: the clinical dose for noticeable improvement is just 15 minutes a day for 30 days.
You can do it at home on your phone, tablet or computer, whenever suits you. As you train, you receive a listening score so you can watch your speech-in-noise understanding improve week by week. Many of our patients find the score genuinely motivating, though the best feedback is what happens away from the screen: social occasions feel enjoyable again rather than draining.
Who is LACE AI PRO For?
This is the question we get most, and the answer is broader than you might think.
If you wear hearing aids, LACE is the perfect companion. It helps turn the sound your hearing aids deliver into effortless understanding, so you get the most out of your investment.
If you have normal hearing or mild hearing loss but still struggle in noise or group conversations, LACE can sharpen your listening skills even without hearing aids. We also share some simple everyday habits in our guide to exercising your hearing.
If you are considering hearing aids but not quite ready, brain training is a proactive first step that keeps your listening pathways active.
Start With a Free Speech in Noise Assessment
Wondering how well your brain is currently processing speech in noise? We offer a free Speech in Noise Assessment at all three of our Adelaide clinics. We will measure exactly how you perform when background noise enters the picture, talk through your results, and help you get set up with LACE AI PRO if it is right for you.
Book your free assessment online and take the first step towards hearing clearer, not just louder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until I notice an improvement?
The clinical dose is 15 minutes of training a day for 30 days. Many people notice conversations becoming easier within that first month, and because you have lifetime access, you can return for refresher training any time.
Do I need hearing aids to use LACE AI PRO?
No. LACE AI PRO benefits people with hearing aids, people with mild hearing loss, and even people with normal hearing who struggle to follow speech in noisy places. It trains your brain, not your ears.
What equipment do I need?
Just a smartphone, tablet or computer. The training is done at home, at whatever time of day suits you. Our team will help you get set up.
