Which component of an aural rehabilitation plan focuses on improving speech perception and functional listening skills?

The component of an aural rehabilitation plan that focuses on improving speech perception and functional listening skills is auditory training. This aspect of rehabilitation aims to enhance an individual's ability to recognize and differentiate between sounds and speech, particularly for those who may experience hearing loss. Auditory training involves systematic learning processes that help individuals adapt to their hearing capabilities, making use of different auditory stimuli and exercises that strengthen their listening skills in various environments.

By focusing on auditory training, individuals can improve their ability to engage in conversation, understand spoken language in background noise, and enhance overall communication effectiveness. This directly contributes to better speech perception, allowing for more meaningful interactions in daily life and thus supporting the goal of functional listening skills necessary for effective communication.