When speech sounds are difficult to recognize, even those withnormal hearing use SR unconsciously. In individuals with normal hearing, SR activates the auditory cortex in the absence ofauditory stimuli [8, 9]. In individuals with hearing impairmentthat can benefit from residual hearing, SR further enhances speech recognition. Compared to people with normal hearing, individuals with hearing impairment may have better SRskills because they use SR more frequently.Evidence regarding the effect of SR is lacking in individualswith presbycusis, including in speakers of European Portuguese(EP). In a prior study, we hypothesized that SR could enhanceword intelligibility in presbycusis, by acting as a “third ear” [10].The aim of this study was to evaluate whether SR would significantly increase word intelligibility in individuals with presbycusis. Furthermore, the study compared SR skills of individuals with hearing impairment with those with no or mild hearing impairment.