Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described for assessing an aging adult's ability to integrate visual-spatial and auditory memory by requiring the adult to spatially match pairs of graphically presented response buttons that are associated with aurally presented stimuli which is processed by a computing device. The adult is presented with a grid of response buttons, each associated with an aural stimulus. When the adult selects a response button, its aural stimulus is presented. The adult is required to consecutively select a response button having the same aural stimulus. As the adult sequentially selects response buttons having the same aural stimuli, the button pair is removed. First assessment trials are performed for a first plurality of grids, training trials are performed for a second plurality of grids, then second assessment trials performed for the first plurality of grids. The adult's performances in the two assessments are compared to determine the adult's improvement.

Abstract: A method on a computing device for determining a psychophysical threshold regarding an aging adult's ability to temporarily store and retrieve an order of the syllables by requiring the adult to listen to two or more aurally processed syllables, presented serially, view the syllables graphically, and designate the order in which the syllables were presented. Two tracks are initialized to respective stage values, each corresponding to attributes of the presented syllables. A number of trials are performed according to each of the two tracks. As the adult attempts to determine the syllable order in trials, correct/incorrect selection of an order causes the stage value of a track to be adaptively reduced/increased, using a maximum likelihood procedure, e.g., ZEST, where the two tracks are adjusted until their values substantially converge, or a specified number of trials is performed. The final stage values of the tracks are averaged to determine the threshold.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for determining a threshold regarding an aging adult's ability to remember and perform sequences of auditory instructions. A stage specifies a set of stimulus attributes. First and second tracks are respectively initialized to stage values below and above an initial anticipated threshold specifying an initial estimate of stimulus attributes corresponding to a specified performance level of the adult. A sequence of auditory instructions is presented indicating respective manipulations of graphical objects in accordance with the stage value of a specified one of either the first or second track. Input manipulating the graphical objects is received from the adult, and the stage value of the track modified in response. This is performed with respect to each of a plurality of sequences to determine final stage values for the tracks, and a threshold comprising the stage value associated with the specified performance level determined based on the final stage values.