Board games for people with hearing loss
A fun-filled evening of togetherness, joy, and laughter: game nights are popular with young and old alike. Whether it’s a classic board game or the latest gaming innovation—new technologies make things easier for hearing aid users, too. From hearing aid-compatible games to board games that offer playful hearing training, more and more games are coming onto the market that are specifically designed to include people with hearing loss.
What kinds of special (party) games are there?
Fortunately, more and more game developers are considering the inclusion of people with hearing impairments. As a result, there are now interesting games available both online and offline that are not only compatible with hearing aids but also serve as hearing training. There are also various options to choose from depending on age group.
Fun for Kids
For children with hearing loss, playful hearing exercises are extremely important for their continued development. These are crucial in the early years of life, as the sense of hearing plays an important role in social, cognitive, and language development. This is because young children are particularly receptive to auditory stimuli, which greatly influence their ability to perceive and produce language.
Targeted, playful auditory training can improve a child’s auditory processing skills and sharpen their ability to distinguish between different sounds and words. These skills form the foundation for understanding and speaking language. When children with hearing loss perform such playful listening exercises early on and regularly, they can strengthen and develop these neural connections.
In addition, playful listening exercises can also help boost children’s self-confidence. This is because when they experience progress in their hearing and communication skills, it boosts their self-confidence and their own motivation to actively participate in social life. As a result, those affected gain the confidence to communicate with other children, which is of great importance for their social integration.
It is important to note that playful auditory training methods should be age-appropriate. Depending on the children’s age and individual needs, games and exercises can be adapted to ensure optimal development of their listening skills. This enables children with hearing loss to develop in a healthy and positive way and to have the same opportunities as their hearing peers.
Games for Adults
The digital world offers a wide range of practical solutions for people with hearing loss, thanks to innovations in gaming on smartphones and other devices. Modern entertainment combined with interactive hearing training creates an extraordinary gaming experience. With the help of games and hearing aids that are Bluetooth-compatible, these auditory gaming formats can be enjoyed even more fully. This includes games that are available as apps on smartphones as well as board games that require a smartphone—for example, to listen in.
The games listed below promote auditory perception and concentration; they also offer an entertaining way for everyone involved to improve their auditory processing skills while having fun at the same time. This approach to inclusion also provides people with hearing loss with a comfortable way to play together. Technical devices and hearing aids connect via Bluetooth, allowing players with hearing loss to experience the sounds and noises of the game directly in their ears, completely free from distracting ambient noise. This not only provides clear and enhanced sound but also allows players to adjust the volume to their individual needs. Depending on the game, some may also use specially developed subtitles and visual cues. This ensures that all players, regardless of their hearing ability, can fully follow and enjoy the game.
Audio quartets are a good example of games you can play not on, but with a smartphone. On the back of the cards, there’s a scannable QR code that plays the corresponding sounds. For example, if the quartet features bird calls, the cards can be matched this way. It works similarly to an audio Memory game. This classic game is suitable for players of all ages. All the cards look the same and have no pictures or other visual cues that would indicate which pairs belong together. Using your own smartphone, the game app, and tiny NFC chips embedded in the cards, you can play the sounds associated with the memory cards. This works both on the smartphone and on a hearing aid, provided it’s connected to the phone via Bluetooth. From then on, it’s all about your memory.
Enjoying Games in Old Age
Hearing loss is not uncommon in old age, so it’s advisable to have your hearing checked regularly by an ENT doctor or hearing aid specialist. This way, you can be sure whether your hearing is fine or if you need assistance in the form of a hearing solution. It’s also important to exercise your hearing from time to time. The musical version of bingo, for example, is a popular party game among seniors. By focusing specifically on the auditory cues, you can strengthen your auditory concentration.
Special memory games can also be used to indirectly train hearing. Audio puzzles are particularly well-suited for this purpose, as they can improve the ability to remember auditory information. Similar to a traditional puzzle, instead of pictures, various sound sequences must be arranged in the correct order to create a complete pattern or melody.
If you feel like your hearing is getting worse in your daily life—for example, when talking to other people—don't wait too long; have it checked by an ENT specialist near you.
