HEaring and LIstening eXperience (HELIX): Evaluation of a co-designed serious game for auditory-cognitive training
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.This study explored the HELIX auditory-cognitive training app for hearing and cognitive health. While HELIX prompted users to recognize difficulties and improve listening, it did not significantly improve speech-in-noise or cognitive test performance compared to a control group.
Area Of Science
- Auditory cognitive neuroscience
- Digital health interventions
- Gerontology
Background
- Serious games are emerging for functional enhancement in dementia care.
- The link between hearing and cognitive health in mid-life, particularly via serious games, remains underexplored.
- Subjective hearing loss and cognitive impairment are prevalent concerns in aging populations.
Purpose Of The Study
- To evaluate the HELIX auditory-cognitive training application.
- To assess HELIX's impact on speech-in-noise, cognitive function, communication confidence, quality of life, and usability.
- To investigate the relationship between hearing and cognitive health using a serious game.
Main Methods
- A 4-week randomized-controlled trial with a 4-week follow-up involving 43 participants with subjective hearing loss and/or cognitive impairment.
- Outcome measures included the Digit-Triplet-Test, online cognitive tests, quality of life questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews.
- Usability measures were employed to assess participant experience with HELIX.
Main Results
- An improvement in the Digit-Triplet-Test was observed in the training group at 4 and 8 weeks post-baseline, but this was not statistically significant compared to the control group.
- No significant improvements were found in other measured outcomes, including cognitive tasks, communication confidence, or quality of life.
- Thematic analysis indicated HELIX raised awareness of difficulties, improved listening skills, and encouraged positive behavior changes.
Conclusions
- While HELIX showed potential in prompting user realization of challenges and improving listening, its efficacy in significantly enhancing speech-in-noise or cognitive performance remains inconclusive.
- Participatory design ensured HELIX's relevance for individuals at risk of age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline.
- Further research is needed to definitively establish the causal link between using HELIX and improvements in auditory-cognitive outcomes.
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