 |
Video clip, produced for ARCHES Meeting 2020
Head:
Main Goals and Keywords:
Investigations of the functional properties of the auditory system, applied research to treat hearing impairment through the use of digital hearing instruments and microelectronic implantable auditory prostheses. Cochlear Implant (CI), Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI), speech processing strategies, music perception optimization, neural response telemetry (NRT), modelling of excitation patterns, DSP speech coding algorithms, sinusoidal speech models, fitting strategies for speech processors and digital hearing instruments, Noise reduction algorithms, sound classification, Middle Ear Mechanics, Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV), finite element modelling (FEM), Audiological data processing
Group Members:
Previous and Current Research:
In the laboratory of experimental audiology, we are working on projects to better understand and improve the function of auditory prostheses such as cochlear implants, auditory brainstem implants as well as conventional and implantable hearing aids.
The main goals are to enhance the speech discrimination performance, especially in noisy environments and to improve the sound quality for music perception with these devices.
New methods for programming and speech processor fitting especially for the very young children using objective electrophysiologic measurement procedures are a major area of research. Other areas of research are the use of bilateral electrical or the combined electrical acoustical stimulation for improved localization and speech recognition in noise.
Ongoing Research projects
- sCILab: Swiss CI-Laboratory program. Electrodogram-visualization and acoustic reconstruction and modelling of electrical stimulation patterns of multielectrode cochlear implants
- Development of flexible computer-based speech and psychophysics test environments (MACarena)
- Loudness scaling and other psychoacoustic evaluation experimnets for cochlear implants and digital hearing aids
- Cochlear Implant speech processing strategies
- Neural response telemetry and modelling of excitation patterns
- Auditory Brainstem Implants
- Improved fitting strategies for speech processors and digital hearing instruments
- Sound classification for digital hearing instruments
- Multimedia tools for device fitting in children
- DSP (digital signal processing) speech coding algorithms
- Multiband loudness compression for digital hearing instruments
- Noise reduction algorithms for hearing impaired persons
- Implantable Hearing Aids
- Middle Ear Mechanics
- Laser Doppler Vibrometry
- Audiological data processing, storage and retrieval
- Medical database systems
 |
Future Projects:
We are interested in aspects of music perception of patients with Cochlear Implants and are working on methods to improve the quality of music provided through these implantable auditory prostheses. We are also interested in simulating realistic acoustical environments for evaluation of algorithms and signal processing systems for the hard of hearing and the profoundly deaf.
Techniques and Equipment:
- · Audiological test and measurement setups for clinical and experimental studies
- · Free field testing setup for localization and speech in noise experiments
- · Software tools and expertise in software applications for audiological purposes