Member Article

New device for young people with ADHD launches to cut through the noise

Nuance Hearing, a specialist in focused listening technology, has launched a new device to help young people concentrate in noisy and distraction-filled classroom environments.

Concentration in classroom settings can be particularly difficult for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), auditory processing difficulties (APD) or Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ADHD is estimated to affect about 2-5% (around 1 in 30) students at school. It’s estimated up to 1% of school aged children have auditory processing difficulties.

The device, called the Voice Selector Study, creates a better learning environment for young people, helping them to listen to the teacher and follow instructions, while tuning out other distractions. A clinical study testing the efficacy of the device in classroom settings for adolescents with ADHD showed highly significant improvements in the ability to focus on and listen to the teacher and in the ability to ignore distractions in the classroom.

Designed to be easy to use, the small tabletop device works with any wired headphones. Eight built-in microphones automatically track the teacher’s (or the dominant speaker’s) voice as they move around the classroom, reducing the level of background noise and enabling the user to focus with less cognitive effort.

A clinical study which tested the efficacy of the Voice Selector Study in classroom settings for 31 adolescents with ADHD showed highly significant improvements in the ability to focus on and listen to the teacher and in the ability to ignore distractions in the classroom.

Tami Harel, Director of Clinical Research and Chief Audiologist Nuance Hearing, said: “Classrooms nowadays can be very noisy and full of distractions. It is difficult for everyone to tune in on the teacher in a noisy environment, but for some children this task is even harder. Some children struggle to concentrate and focus on the teacher, and this effort affects their ability to learn and participate in the classroom. We’re proud to launch the Voice Selector Study to help children ignore the unwanted noise and distractions and focus on the teacher. We believe this can facilitate learning and empower students.”

According to the ADHD Foundation, the ‘core symptoms’ of ADHD are usually present before the student is 12 years of age and can persist throughout their school life. ADHD students typically have a short attention span and so can find it hard to concentrate and learn, especially in group situations. This can impact on their education and many of these students underachieve at school.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Andrew McKay .