METHOD FOR TRAINING OF AUDITORY/VISUAL DISCRIMINATION USING TARGET AND FOIL PHONEMES/GRAPHEMES WITHIN AN ANIMATED STORY

A method for training of auditory and graphical discrimination in humans is provided within an animated game environment. The method provides a number of stimulus sets, each stimulus set having a target phoneme and a plurality of associated foils (similar sounding phonemes). Upon initiation of a trial, a target phoneme is presented to a subject. Subsequently, the target phoneme is presented to the subject, along with one of the associated foils, in randomized order. As the target phoneme and associated foil is presented, a graphical animation associates the target and foil each with its own graphical image. The subject then designates identification of the target phoneme by selecting its associated image. Speech processing is used to provide multiple levels of emphasis for enhancing the subject's ability to discriminate between the target phoneme and the foils. As a subject correctly identifies target phonemes, from their plurality of associated foils, the amount of processing applied to the target phonemes and foils is reduced, ultimately to the level of normal speech.