AI Gives Voice to Children with Hearing Loss: Feng Chia University’s “Sheng Sheng” Wins Second Prize in the Greater China Region at the Apple Mobile Application Innovation Competition

The 10th Apple Mobile Application Innovation Contest (MAIC) Greater China Regional Finals was held on November 2 at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. This year’s competition attracted registrations from 4,281 teams across 1,293 universities worldwide, with only 88 teams advancing to the finals. Amid fierce competition, the “Sheng Sheng” team—composed of Li Bo-Lin from Feng Chia University’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Wang Yi-Ting from Hungkuang University’s Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and Xu Shuo-Han from National Chung Hsing University’s Department of Business Administration—won the Second Prize in the Enlightenment Track with their AI speech practice platform designed specifically for children with hearing loss.

Li Bo-Lin from Feng Chia University (left) and Xu Shuo-Han from National Chung Hsing University’s Department of Business Administration represented their team in Hangzhou at the 10th Apple Mobile Application Innovation Contest Greater China Regional Finals, winning the Second Prize in the Enlightenment Track.

Under the guidance of Professor Hsi-Min Chen from Feng Chia University’s Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering and Professor Hui-Chi Huang from Hungkuang University’s Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, the “Sheng Sheng” team developed an AI-based speech learning platform for children with hearing impairments aged 5–8. Centered on the concept “help children dare to speak and want to speak,” the platform integrates speech recognition with gamified interactive exercises, enabling oral pronunciation training at home or in clinical settings. It provides real-time accuracy monitoring, visual feedback, and automatically generates personalized practice content based on errors, using story missions and puzzle rewards to boost motivation. The system also produces proficiency reports for speech therapists to plan and adjust therapy sessions. “Sheng Sheng” serves as both a supplementary tool for therapists and a way for children to continue practicing at home, embedding AI technology into daily learning and helping them regain confidence in speaking.

Professor Hsi-Min Chen expressed hope that technology can serve as a bridge to the world for children with hearing impairments, rather than a cold tool. The team plans to further optimize the system by enhancing gamification and practice content, making learning more engaging and tailored to children’s needs, so more children can benefit.

Po-Lin Li shared that this was his fifth time participating in the contest and his first time advancing to the Greater China Finals and winning second prize. Working with teammates from different fields allowed him to better understand the learning needs of children with hearing impairments. The team visited the Hearing Health Foundation for Women and Children to conduct real-world testing with hearing-impaired children, observing their reactions and collecting feedback to continuously refine the interface and practice content, ensuring the system aligns with children’s habits and learning conditions.

Since 2016, Feng Chia University has organized the Taiwan regional selection for the Mobile Application Innovation Contest, now in its 10th year, making it the largest and most influential iOS app development competition in Taiwan. This year, Feng Chia also received the Outstanding Organization Award, recognizing its excellence in innovative teaching and industry-academia collaboration. Over the years, Feng Chia students have excelled in the Greater China competition and repeatedly won honors in the Apple WWDC Swift Student Challenge.

The contest is jointly promoted by Apple, Feng Chia University, Straight A (STUDIO A’s education brand), and the Apple Regional Training Center (RTC) at National Taiwan University. For a decade, STUDIO A has partnered with academia to help countless young students step onto the international stage, showcasing Taiwan’s soft power through creativity and technology.

Feng Chia University stated that this award reflects not only the team’s effort but also the success of its long-term strategy to build an innovation ecosystem. The university currently hosts student-led tech clubs such as Google Developer Groups on Campus FCU, iOS Club, AI Club, and Hacker Club, supported by faculty mentorship. Through interdisciplinary learning, project-based practice, and international competitions, students develop problem-solving skills and global perspectives. Award-winning student Po-Lin Li is also a member of the iOS Club, exemplifying Feng Chia’s talent cultivation model.

Feng Chia emphasized its commitment to deepening collaboration with STUDIO A and Straight A, encouraging faculty to lead students in international competitions to gain hands-on experience and innovation momentum, making technology creation a driving force for learning and global connection.

President Wang Wei of Feng Chia University, Vice President Tang Guo-Hao, Dean Shen Zu-Wang of the College of Information and Electrical Engineering, Apple RTC Director Hsu Fang-Jung, and Department of Computer Science Chair Chen Xi-Min, along with other faculty members, attended in person to witness the important milestone of the tenth anniversary of collaboration with STUDIO A and Straight A.