HearBuilder Auditory Memory Games (Schoolhouse Review)

I’ve known of Super Duper Publications for many years. The company sells a huge variety of special education materials, focusing largely on speech therapy products. The items that the Crew is reviewing are products that are fun (and educational) for all kids. It is designed for grades K-8.

We received the Hearbuilder Auditory Memory Software to try out. This set of computer games helps children improve their memory skills and covers five essential listening activities:

• memory for numbers (3-7 digits)
• memory for words (3-5 words)
• memory for details (1-4 details)
• auditory closure (sentence completion)
• memory for WH information (2-3 sentences/2-4 questions)

These activities are very much like the ones I used when I was doing language therapy and would be great for language delayed children to use on their own or under the supervision of their speech pathologist. They are also great activities for normally developing children (or even adults) as well.

As children play, they are on a “mission to foil the wacky plans of Dr. Forgetsit.”  They are encouraged to progress through more difficult levels in order to solve the mission. Each activity gradually becomes more difficult by adding challenges such as delayed recall and removing visual clues. After each set of game-like drills, the child is rewarded with a fun activity.

A record of all activities completed can be viewed on the child’s progress report. Initial game levels can be set and self-adjust as the child successfully completes activities.

Emily has enjoyed using HearBuilder Auditory Memory and I am hoping that the memory practice will transfer over to other subjects. I was happy to see that the upper levels are challenging enough that they are useful even for middle school aged children who do not struggle with (but still could benefit from improvement in) auditory memory.

The Home Edition of HearBuilder Auditory Memory sells for $69.95 and is very similar to the much more expensive professional edition. It will keep records for up to 4 children. (The professional version works for an unlimited number of children and provides a few more customization features.)

Super Duper is offering a 30% discount on HearBuilder Auditory Memory Home Edition until August 31!

Coupon Code:       BLGAM30

Save 30%    Expires 8/31/12

Please visit the Crew Blog to read reviews of (and find coupon codes for) other Super Duper products.

Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received  this software free in order to write this review. All opinions are my own.