Sound effects as an interface element for older users

Users who were between 70 and 75 years old with a mean age of 71·8 years were tested using a paint program that could generate a variety of sound effects to accompany and differentiate the paint tools. Even though the sound effects seemed enjoyable to several younger interface analysts, the older users testing the program with sound effects did not find the program more enjoyable than those testing it in a silent mode. Also, the older test users found the interface more difficult to use when they were exposed to the sounds, possibly because they were overwhelmed by the multimedia effects.