New ‘Sound Scouts’ App Uses Fun Gameplay To Test For Undiagnosed Hearing Problems

Hearing is an integral part of the learning experience for all children, but in Australia, kids only get their hearing tested if parents notice a clear problem.

So, while all Australian babies get a basic hearing test at birth, there’s no other general hearing check-ups occurring.

When you think how important hearing is for kids during the most intensive learning period of their lives, it doesn’t really make sense. After all, we’re happy to take our kids to the dentist regularly, but we never think to get their hearing tested.

As a result of this, thousands of Australian children, who have passed hearing tests at birth, are entering primary school with undiagnosed hearing problems. These issues see them falling behind their classmates academically, and experiencing issues with confidence and self-esteem.

‘Break the Sound Barrier’ Campaign

The issue of undiagnosed hearing loss is finally starting to come the the surface of public awareness, with a campaign called ‘Break the Sound Barrier‘ launched at the start of May. The campaign aims to push for mandatory hearing tests for kids, as well as better screening for adults and tax deductions on hearing aids.

David Brady, the chairman of the Deafness Forum Australia said that hearing loss was often ignored as it was a disability that was “invisible” despite being a daily reality for more than 4 million Australians.

Sound Scouts

However, until the aims of the ‘Break the Sound Barrier’ campaign are achieved, there is something else that parents can explore. It’s a new app, developed in partnership with the National Acoustic Laboratories and NSW Government, that uses fun, child-friendly gameplay to test for a range of hearing problems. The app is based on solid science, but it’s still accessible for kids, and provides a chance for children to be tested before they enter school and fall behind.

The Sound Scouts is a game that follows Patch, a bionic-eared dog who works in the National park. When one of the rangers goes mission, Patch has to find them with the help of his ears to solve a series of challenges. The game is intended for children aged 4 years 6 months and older, and is available now. The app is available on tablets only, and can be downloaded for iPad and for Android today.

Sound Scout, along with programs like the ‘Break the Sound Barrier’ campaign, are working to improve the lives of Australians with hearing loss of varying degrees. Get involved by testing your kids today, even if you haven’t noticed hearing issues before. Sometimes, these conditions are difficult to detect by parents and even doctors, despite the enormous impact they can have to the life of a child.