Listen again: virtual reality based training for children with hearing impairments

Abstract

Although hearing loss is treated with hearing technology and rehabilitation, children with hearing loss still face challenges. Factors such as distance to the sound source and noise from the surroundings are the children's biggest enemies. In the "Listen Again"project, a listening- and spatial awareness training application was co-designed together with deaf and hard-of-hearing children who use cochlear implants. This paper presents quantitative and qualitative results from a two-month evaluation where 22 children were asked to play with the VR solution for two months, three times a week.