July 21, 2004

By: Dan Barber
Website: http://www.1st-in-games.com

MRC scientists to develop computer game treatments for hearing difficulties

The Medical Research Council announced a £12M investment in new hearing research programmes. The work will include research to better diagnose and develop treatments in the form of computer games for children who have difficulty hearing but whose hearing tests find nothing wrong.

The investment will launch a new focus for hearing research, led by the MRC’s Institute of Hearing Research in Nottingham, on ‘The Auditory Brain’ which will investigate all aspects of hearing in both children and adults that occur beyond the ear.

Children who have difficulty hearing in the classroom, and other noisy places, may have a ‘brain hearing’ problem called auditory processing disorder . This means that they have difficulty making sense of the messages sent to the brain from the ear.

Exactly how common this problem is has not been established, but it is thought that many children who have dyslexia and other language problems also have APD.

Using picture questionnaires that ask children how easy they find hearing in different everyday situations, scientists will work on developing screening tests that could be used by teachers or parents as a first indication of a brain hearing problem.

Scientists will also work to develop further tests that can be given by an audiologist so that, if a parent, teacher or GP refers a child with a suspected brain hearing problem, the child can be properly tested both for APD and to exclude other possible problems not involving hearing.

By developing fun computer games that children with brain hearing difficulties will be able to play on their computers at home, scientists hope to be able to improve their condition.

The wide-range of new research programmes on ‘The Auditory Brain’ will also include studies of brain function, new methods to improve lip reading and the development of new treatments for people with cochlear implants.

Professor David Moore, Director of the MRC’s Institute of Hearing Research, said:

For the first time, proper scientific study will be directed at understanding and treating listening problems that may make learning and communication difficult in many children with otherwise normal hearing.

About The Author:

Dan Barber is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-games.com.  Great games for the entire family for hours of fun or competition. We feature all your favorites.