Communication Strategies Training
Also written as: CST — Communication Strategies Training
A component of aural rehabilitation that teaches individuals with hearing loss and their communication partners specific behavioural techniques to reduce the impact of hearing difficulty in everyday interactions.
Full Definition
Communication strategies training (CST) equips hearing-impaired individuals and their significant others with both facilitative strategies (e.g., instructing a speaker to face the listener, reduce background noise, or rephrase rather than repeat) and repair strategies used when communication breakdowns occur. CST also includes assertiveness training for self-advocacy in difficult listening environments. It is distinct from auditory training, which targets perceptual skills, and from hearing aid orientation, which addresses device management. In editorial copy, 'communication strategies training' is the preferred full form; abbreviate to CST only after first-use definition.
Usage
Usage note: Do not conflate with 'auditory training' or 'counselling'. Hyphenate 'communication-strategies' only when the full phrase functions as a compound modifier directly before a noun (e.g., 'communication-strategies training module').
In Context
- "Communication strategies training was delivered in four group sessions, with spouses invited to participate alongside the hearing-aid users." — Rehabilitation programme outline
- "CST focuses on behavioural adaptations in conversation and should not be conflated with the auditory skill-building goals of auditory training." — Textbook chapter