The computer based auditory training programme for adults with hearing loss

The aim of this study is developing a computer-based auditory training program to improve the auditory perception and performance of hearing-impaired adults; and to evaluate the usability of the program by applying to normal hearing adults in different age groups and professionalist. The developed auditory training program consists of 9 modules: identification, discrimination, recognition, auditory closure, comprehension, temporal ordering, phonological awareness, auditory memory and attention. 40 adults (age range of 25-35, 35-45, 45-55, 55-65 ), 9 audiologists and 1 software engineer were included in this study. The Computer Based Auditory Training Program was applied to all individuals, and the evaluation form was filled in to evaluate the usability and satisfaction of the program and the average performances of the individuals were calculated for each module. According to the results of the evaluation form, all participants evaluated the overall usability of the program as 4.40. The satisfaction factor was evaluated as 4.47 by the participants; the mean design factor was 4.62; ease of use factor average was 4.56; the mean motivation factor was 4.45 and the comprehensibility factor was 4.67. Audiologists rated availability as an average of 4.44. While the intelligibility factor was evaluated as an average of 4.63 by audiologists; design factor was evaluated as 4.67; satisfaction factor as 4.00; ease of use factor as 4.48; motivational factor as 4.60. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of average performance value of the modules (p> 0.05); significant difference was found in the performance average of the temporal ordering module considering the educational status of individuals (p<0,05). No significant difference was found between module performance averages of individuals considering the computer use status (p> 0.05). These results show that the instructions and information used in the program are clear and understandable, and that the colors and texts used in the program are readable, the program is easy to use, and the individuals are not disturbed by the sounds used in the program.