Developing an application for auditory-cognitive training V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a gaming application for auditory-cognitive training using participatory design.
IRAS ID
248603
Contact name
Emily Frost
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 0 days
Research summary
AIMS
This project will investigate the relationship between age-related hearing loss and dementia. This will be completed by developing a new gaming application. The application will provide training for hearing speech better in noise and training for memory and attention. This project is part of a wider research project, which will help find out if an application could improve hearing, memory and attention. In the long-term this could provide evidence for the theory that keeping these abilities active could help delay the symptoms of dementia.BACKGROUND
Age-related hearing loss was recently found to be the biggest potentially modifiable factor in preventing dementia. There are 850,000 people living in the UK with dementia. This is expected to increase to over 2 million people by 2050. Dementia also affects the family and friends of the person diagnosed. There is no cure for dementia, so the focus should be on early detection and prevention.Further research is needed on the relationship between hearing loss and dementia. Alternative treatment of hearing loss, other than hearing aids, may help prevent early symptoms of dementia. 1 in 6 people have a hearing loss in the UK and it takes the average person 10 years before they seek help. This means there is a large group of people that could benefit from a preventative application that could provide low-cost and simple training at home for hearing, memory and attention.
DESIGN
The project will use a participatory design. This means professionals, patients from NHS hearing and memory clinics and their families will help in the design of the application. The basic application will be demonstrated and then redeveloped following feedback. This means the final application will be meaningful to the intended users for testing.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0261
Date of REC Opinion
5 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion