Serious Gaming Meets Audiology: Developing a Video Game for Auditory Testing

Video games can provide controlled environments for the research and testing of stimuli in an engaging manner.In this pilot study, we present the development of De Weg Naar Boven, a serious video game that is designed to act as a hearing test that simulates challenging real-world sound conditions.In the game, participants are tasked with hiking up a mountain and encounter other travelers along the way who share mysterious messages that the player has to relay via an in-game walkie-talkie.Along the way, they encounter challenging listening conditions such as wind noise, as well as visual distractions that are part of real-world situations.The game was evaluated with 12 participants through observations, interviews, and a survey, receiving positive reactions while completing what is functionally the same hearing test as if no game was involved.We conclude with a summary of development recommendation for games that serve a research or clinical purpose.