Serious Game Design for Auditory Training of Hearing-Impaired Children

Abstract

Hearing-impaired children have difficulty learning social rules because of communication dysfunction, and have limited opportunities for interacting with family members or peers. Thus, during early development stages when children recognize sound and start to learn languages, continuous auditory training is required. Currently, there are several auditory training programs that use music, art, and images; however, the quality and effectiveness of off-line auditory training can be lacking because of physical limitations of space and time, and a general lack of specialized instructors. In this study, we analyze current auditory training methods and design a serious game for more effective participation, sustainability, and fulfillment of hearing-impaired children through the variables of initiative, continuity, and fulfillment. We test this game by examining various auditory training elements that indicate a higher level of interest and sustainability on the part of the hearing-impaired child. We found that the serious game with interest elements results in a more effective and satisfying program than existing auditory training programs.