Just as physical exercise can strengthen the body, auditory training can help improve listening skills for both children and adults with hearing loss. Many apps now offer game-based exercises that users can access from their smartphones or tablets at home.
For children, several apps focus on developing listening and language abilities. HearApp Kids is available for iOS devices and allows up to four user profiles, guiding children through exercises to identify and distinguish words and phrases. AB Listening Adventures targets children ages 4 to 10 with story-based games designed to build listening skills, while VocAB Scenes uses themed scenes and games to teach vocabulary in an engaging way. Auditory Workout, created by a certified speech-language pathologist, offers over 1,000 exercises aimed at improving auditory attention, memory, and processing of verbal directions for children aged 4-12.
Some apps are suitable for both children and adults. Hearing Hunt is a word search game where users listen to clues and race against the clock; it also supports Bluetooth-enabled hearing devices. Hearoes provides interactive activities developed with audiologists and speech pathologists to help new cochlear implant or hearing aid users recognize environmental sounds and vocabulary. AudioCardio claims to enhance the brain's ability to detect sounds by creating personalized sound therapy sessions based on each user's hearing thresholds. Hear Coach offers listening games that increase in difficulty as users progress, helping them practice understanding speech in different environments.
In addition to digital tools, there are offline exercises people can do at home. Practicing conversations in noisy settings or identifying the direction of sounds with a partner can help sharpen auditory perception. Solo activities such as meditation may benefit concentration and blood flow important for hearing health. Identifying environmental sounds with eyes closed or singing may also improve specific aspects of listening ability; some studies suggest singing enhances speech-in-noise perception among older adults.
The article encourages readers who have favorite listening comprehension apps not listed here to share their suggestions via email.
For those interested in more technology resources related to hearing health, additional guides are available on topics such as smartphone apps for hearing loss, tinnitus management apps, phone captioning tools, decibel meter applications, sign language learning platforms, and music reconnection solutions for cochlear implant recipients.
