PP504 - Do Gamers Hear Better? A Study of Speech-in-Noise Perception in Multiplayer Video Gamers and Non-Gamers

Abstract:
Video gaming is a popular activity with an estimated 3.24 billion gamers worldwide. Previous research has primarily explored hearing loss from video games; however, little research exists on potential auditory advantages for video gamers. Multiplayer online video games (MMOs) create complex listening environments that possibly act as a form of auditory training. This study examines the relationship between speech-in-noise (SIN) perception and playing MMOs. We collected data on SIN perception and listening effort from 20 adult video gamers and 20 non-gamers. No significant hearing benefits for gamers were found, but future research could explore gaming's potential as auditory training.

Summary:
Video gaming, especially on online platforms, is rapidly increasing in popularity. A style of online gaming, multiplayer online video games (MMOs) involve complex auditory signals from both the game and other players. Despite this complexity, research is limited regarding the plausible impact of video gaming on auditory advantages, and even scarcer on speech-in-noise (SIN) recognition abilities. Individuals who play MMOs may have enhanced perceptual abilities, such as auditory perception, possibly due to multisensory auditory and visual stimulations from games. The aim of this study is to compare SIN abilities and examine the impact of distorted speech between multiplayer video gamers (MVGs) and non-gamers (NGs) and assess the listening effort differences between these two groups.

For this study, we recruited 40 young adult participants- 20 MVGs and 20 NGs- aged between 18-35 years. All participants were native English speakers and were screened for normal hearing (thresholds ≤25 dB) from 250 to 8000 Hz. Participants’ speech perception was assessed with two QuickSIN lists per ear and the Filtered Words (FW) sub-test from the SCAN-3:A assessment for auditory processing. Additionally, participants responded to four questions on listening effort after tests on each ear. These questions assessed fatigue, effort, and likelihood to give up or change environments.

For the MVG group, 60% were male, 35% female, and 5% non-binary. For the NGs group 70% were female and 30% male. The QuickSIN scores were 1.9 dB and 2.23 dB SNR loss in the right ear, and 1.73 dB and 2 dB SNR loss in the left ear for the MVGs and NGs, respectively. Average score on the FW assessment 18.25 and 18.05, right ear, and 16.85 and 16.9, left ear, for the MVGs and NGs, respectively. We confirmed normal distributions and performed an analysis of variance, with all p-value results above 0.05, indicating no significant difference for QuickSIN and FW between the groups. Further analysis revealed the most commonly missed FW targets, with “fit,” “bat,” “wipe,” and “meet” frequently missed for both groups. Listening effort responses revealed that both groups reported more effort exerted and a higher desire to change listening environments during the QuickSIN assessment.

Given the paucity of research on video gaming and auditory advantages, this study provides audiologists and other researchers with additional information on the auditory environments and speech understanding abilities of multiplayer video gamers. This study is limited by its small sample size and lack of information on the genre of games played by participants. Further studies should explore SIN perception among multiplayer video gamers by game genre, including first-person shooter, role-playing, and simulation games, to better assess auditory benefits. Although this study did not find evidence to support a significant difference in auditory abilities of MVGs versus NGs, if future research demonstrates meaningful auditory advantages of gaming, these effects could potentially be leveraged for auditory training purposes.