PHOTOZIG INC — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the second most

Description

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the second most common form of hearing deficit, affecting about 26 million American adults. In addition, about one in eight children have NIHL in the US (~5.2 million children), andit is estimated that 20% of US adolescents have hearing loss. We propose the development of a social game to educate teenagers about NIHL, and promote healthy hearing behaviors with the potential to improve hearing health care, by developing and translating technologies that address the following existing barrier listed in RFA-DC-12-004: Knowledge Barriers-health literacy and language barriers can inhibit healthcare delivery, including the patient's knowledge of their healthcare needs. There is an untapped potential to disseminate healthcare programs through social games (e.g. in Facebook), where the majority of teens spend time online, with the potential to educate and promote healthy behaviors. Our novel social game called Noisy City (NC) will leveragethe power of social networks, as a program to increase the awareness about NIHL and how to prevent it. NC will contain education on NIHL and gaming components to promote healthy hearing behaviors (e.g. identify noise sources, avoid long exposure to loud sounds, use ear protection, do a hearing test, etc.). NC game story: teen wakes up in the mysterious Noisy City, full of loud noises and dangerous decibels. Player discovers that his/her destiny is to become a Rock Star to change the city, while preservinghearing power. NC will be designed to entertain (content: 70% entertainment