Overview

• Problem: Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a common issue that can affect a person’s ability to understand and interpret sounds, even if their hearing is normal. Traditional hearing tests can be boring and repetitive, which can make it difficult to accurately assess APD.
• Solution: Our virtual reality (VR) hearing assessment gamifies traditional hearing tests, making them more engaging and effective for APD assessment.

HELIX Components

• HELIX Gaming App: Developed in an advanced 3D game engine (Unity) and designed for Virtual Reality (VR) on the Oculus Quest 2.
• HELIX DMS: Database management system using HIPAA compliant AWS services (RDS, S3, EC2) for storing sensitive PII, hearing test results, and user data.
• HELIX Web Dashboard: Frontend web application for organizations, providers, and users to see real-time updates from the Gaming App.

Gaming App Features

• Offers a range of hearing tests in virtual reality, including:
• Digits-in-noise (measures ability to understand speech in noisy environments)
• Pure tone (assesses hearing sensitivity)
• Sound localization (tests ability to determine the direction of a sound)
• Calibrated audio files for accurate testing results.
• Uses engaging 3D VR games to make the testing process more enjoyable for patients.
• Provides real-time feedback to patients during testing to help them understand their results and progress.
• Encrypts and uploads realtime data to our backend DMS.

Digits-in-noise

A user is presented with a series of spoken digits (0-9) in a noisy environment (multitalker babble). The users task is to repeat the numbers back in the correct order.

Pure Tone

A user is presented with a tone at varying frequencies. The tone is played only in one ear (left/right). The users task is to indicate which ear they heard the tone in.

Web Dashboard Features

• Account creation: providers, patients, and organizations can create accounts on the platform to access and track their own or their patients’ test results.
• Data collection: the platform serves as an aggregate for data collection, allowing providers to track patient progress and organizations to gather data for research.
• Calendars: providers can use the platform’s calendar feature to schedule appointments and track patient schedules.
• Events: the platform can host events, such as webinars or workshops, to educate providers and patients about hearing health.
• Data visualization: the platform includes performance charts and graphs to visualize test results and track progress over time.
• Assignment: assign hearing tests for patients to complete.

Our Team

• Consists of experienced audiologists and VR developers who are passionate about improving APD assessment and treatment.
• Has a track record of developing innovative solutions in the healthcare industry, as well as expertise in VR technology and audiology.

Key Milestones

• Acquired an initial round of funding through the DBI CAT grant program to begin development on HELIX.
• Successful youth group testing sessions, that accurately assessed hearing.
• Successful pilot study with ~30 subjects in 2023.

Recap

• HELIX includes a variety of games and challenges that test different aspects of auditory processing, such as digits in noise and pure tone. These tests are delivered through a VR headset, immersing the user in a realistic and engaging experience.
• HELIX is more efficient and accurate than traditional hearing tests, and it is also more engaging and enjoyable for the user. This can make it easier to accurately diagnose APD and provide effective treatment.
• Our web platform gives organizations, researchers, providers, and patients a tailored experience to assess and analyze data provided by our VR hearing assessments.