Remember the Sound: Arduino-Based Audio Quiz Game for Dementia Memory Training

Project Purpose: This project is designed to assist dementia patients and the elderly in improving their memory and auditory cognitive abilities. By using a simple sound quiz game, it encourages repeated listening, recalling, and selecting processes to stimulate the brain and enhance concentration.

"Remember the sound. I'll play it for you... Can you guess which sound it was?" This approach stimulates the brain through focus and sound in a fun, game-like format.

Project Overview: This device uses an Arduino, DFPlayer Mini MP3 module, and 8 buttons to create an interactive voice-based memory game. It plays sounds for the user and lets them match by pressing the corresponding button.

1. Voice-guided instructions play.
2. A random sound is played.
3. The user recalls and presses a button.
4. Correct answer: Praise! Incorrect: Retry.

Part , Quantity, Description

Arduino Uno (or compatible board) , 1, Main controller

DFPlayer Mini MP3 Module, 1, For playing voice guides

Micro SD Card (FAT32 formatted), 1, For storing MP3 files

Speaker (0.5–3W), 1, Output for DFPlayer

Push Buttons, 8, For user input

Jumper Wires Several, , For circuit connections

Breadboard, 1, For testing and assembly

Piezo Buzzer, 1, For tone() sound output

5V USB Power Supply or Battery Pack, 1, Power source

LM386 Audio Amplifier Module, 1, For sound amplification (additional component used)

Format as FAT32.

Create /mp3/ folder and add files.

Record prompts in a clear, calm voice.

Store MP3 files in the /mp3/ folder on the Micro SD card. Files are named with 4-digit numbers (e.g., 0001.mp3).

File NumberFile NameDescription

0011.mp3

"Remember the sound"

0012.mp3

"Listen carefully"

0013.mp3

"Let's start"

0014.mp3

"Listen again" (plays on incorrect answer)

0015.mp3

"Press the button for which sound it was"

0016.mp3

"Correct!"

0017.mp3

"Well done!"

Quiz Sounds: Assign 8 unique sounds (e.g., 0101.mp3 to 0108.mp3) for random playback.

Wire DFPlayer to Arduino (RX/TX via pins 10/11).

Connect buttons to pins 2–9 with GND pull-ups.

Link audio through LM386 to speaker on pin 12.

Add piezo buzzer if desired.

Circuit Diagram

(Insert your circuit connection photo here.)

We used easy-to-press push buttons for seniors.

Button Wiring: For INPUT_PULLUP mode, connect one pin of each button to GND and the other to Arduino pins 2–9.

Audio Setup: Connect the speaker and MP3 player output to pin 12 for shared use.

Amplification: The LM386 Audio Amplifier Module is used for sound boost.

Components: Arduino Uno board and DFPlayer Mini. For more details on the MP3 player, refer to DFRobot's product page.

Install required libraries in Arduino IDE.

Upload sketch and test sequence: Startup voices, random sound, button feedback.

Adjust delays and volume for comfort.