Musical training improves speech perception in noisy environments.

the verdict

INSUFFICIENT LEANING

Recorded sources

6 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that musical training improves speech perception in noisy environments?

Unclear. Several studies and reviews partially support the claim: a randomized trial in older adults and a longitudinal study in children found speech-in-noise perception improved after music training, and a review and a musician-advantage study report suggestive transfer to speech perception. None covers the general claim across populations, and the evidence is limited to specific groups and hedged findings.

Verdict: PARTIAL LEAN · 6 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 18 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Evidence for · 6

Speech perception

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Speech perception. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_perception

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More for · 5

Neurophysiological influence of musical training on speech perception

2011

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Shahin, A. J. (2011). Neurophysiological influence of musical training on speech perception. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00126

Musical training improves the ability to understand speech-in-noise in older adults.

2019

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Zendel, B. R., West, G. L., Belleville, S., & Peretz, I. (2019). Musical training improves the ability to understand speech-in-noise in older adults.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.05.015

Music training improves speech-in-noise perception: Longitudinal evidence from a community-based music program

2015

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Music training improves speech-in-noise perception: Longitudinal evidence from a community-based music program. (2015). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2015.05.026

Musical training sharpens and bonds ears and tongue to hear speech better

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Musical training sharpens and bonds ears and tongue to hear speech better. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1712223114

Can Music Training Improve Listening Skills For Children With Hearing Loss? · Frontiers for Young Minds

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Can Music Training Improve Listening Skills For Children With Hearing Loss? · Frontiers for Young Minds. (n.d.). kids.frontiersin.org. https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2021.704006

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held for human review18 Oct 2026

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