About CAN

Network, Foundation, and Special Interest Group

The Computational Audiology Network (CAN) is a global community dedicated to advancing hearing healthcare through data science, computational methods, and AI.

• CAN (Network): A collaborative network of professionals and researchers.
• Stichting CAN (Foundation): A non-profit legal entity (established December 2025) to support CAN’s mission with financial and legal structure.
• CAN-SIG: A Special Interest Group within the International Society of Audiology (ISA) for members to engage in CAN’s initiatives.

Our Mission

The purpose of this website is to serve as a hub for knowledge and tools related to computational audiology. As the Computational Audiology Network (CAN), our mission is to act as a global network dedicated to advancing hearing healthcare through the application of data science, computational methods, and artificial intelligence (AI) in hearing loss research and technology. The mission of CAN is to bring together academics, clinicians, industry partners, policymakers, and patients to foster innovation, promote accessible hearing healthcare solutions, and improve the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss.

CAN’s objectives encompass:

1. Digital Space: CAN shall provide a digital platform serving as a knowledge and software hub. This platform shall enable dissemination of resources such as datasets, machine learning models, and software applications, fostering collaborations across institutions.
2. Events: CAN shall facilitate events, such as conferences (e.g., VCCA) or courses, to provide a platform for scientists, clinicians, developers, and industry professionals to share advancements, foster discussions, learn, and promote collaboration within the field of computational audiology and between computational audiology and related fields.
3. Alliances: CAN shall actively seek collaboration that transcends traditional boundaries, bridging academia, industry and other sectors, and clinical practice.
4. Harmonization: CAN shall actively work towards harmonizing laws, practices, and standards related to hearing healthcare across countries.
5. Fundraising: CAN shall pursue grants from various sources, including industrial, private donations, and philanthropic gifts without attached conditions, to support initiatives within the computational audiology community.
6. Community Engagement: CAN shall present research outcomes and insights in easily understandable formats, such as blog posts, to engage and inform the general population. The aim is to raise awareness, identify patient needs, and involve the broader community in computational audiology efforts.

We achieve this by sharing blog articles on current developments, highlighting ongoing projects and research publications by various research groups, and fostering vibrant discussions. CAN is committed to facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange within the field of computational audiology. We also use this platform to promote events, including the renowned Virtual Conference on Computational Audiology (VCCA) series.

We welcome active participation from individuals across the globe. Anyone can leave a comment or contribute content to be published on our forum, provided they provide a name and a valid email address. Please note that comments will only appear on the website after approval by our moderators. Content may be rejected if it falls outside the scope of the forum or is considered disrespectful. We maintain a respectful and pleasantly informal tone within the forum, encouraging open dialogue and shared insights.

ISA

The International Society of Audiology (ISA) is the leading International Audiology Association that provides a dynamic platform to access best practice frameworks including the most recent research and case studies in Global Hearing Healthcare. The ISA has strong affiliations with local audiology associations across the globe with a powerful network of accomplished world authorities and professionals that are passionate about sharing their knowledge and learning for the benefit of people with hearing loss.

The ISA has been in a relationship with the World Health Organization since 2014 and supports global development and success in International Hearing Healthcare. The ISA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Computational Audiology Network to form a special interest group (SIG) within the ISA.

WHF

CAN is a proud member of the World Hearing Forum (WHF), an initiative by the World Health Organization. CAN is dedicated to enhancing hearing healthcare through innovative computational and AI technologies. Our expertise in computational audiology positions us to contribute significantly to combating hearing loss worldwide, in line with the World Health Assembly’s objectives. As part of the Forum, CAN is committed to collaborating on global efforts to prevent hearing loss and ensure those affected receive timely and effective care. In the coming three year we hope together with our members to make contributions to the WHF’s activities including Make Listening Safe and supporting the Changemakers active within WHF.

RNID

The Computational Audiology Network (CAN) and the RNID (the Royal National Institute for Deaf People) in the UK have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding to make progress in technology-enabled innovation in hearing healthcare. Through quarterly progress meetings, shared resources and interdisciplinary initiatives, this partnership seeks to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of researchers and clinicians in addressing the needs of individuals who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. By integrating lived experience and promoting collaboration, the project aims to accelerate the translation of research into practical, impactful solutions that improve hearing services and outcomes across the UK and beyond.

Governance

In 2023, we formally established the Computational Audiology Network (CAN) as an international network to advance hearing healthcare through the application of data science, computational methods, and artificial intelligence (AI) in hearing research and technology. We have established a framework (CAN-SIG) in 2023 to manage CAN membership and reached an agreement with the International Society of Audiology (ISA) to streamline our administrative and financial operations through their systems. In December 2025 we established a non-for profit foundation (stichting CAN). By establishing a formal organization we strive to increase our virtual and physical impact. We will be able to better organize our financial and legal affairs and collaborate with established societies such as the International Society of Audiology (ISA), the American Auditory Society (AAS) as well as other stakeholders.

The CAN Executive Board has the responsibility for the governance and management of CAN. The Executive Board provides an annual progress report, including plans for the forthcoming year. Our eight executive board members have been preparing a workplan for 2024. Do you have ideas or wish to contribute to our objectives? If so, please email executiveboard@computationalaudiology.com or talk to one of us.

For more detailed information about our network and its functioning, please refer to our CAN-SIG bylaws and the CAN foundation (stichting CAN).

CAN Foundation (Stichting Computational Audiology Network)

The Computational Audiology Network (CAN) Foundation is a non-profit organization established to advance hearing healthcare globally through innovation, collaboration, and accessibility. Based in Amsterdam, the foundation aims to bridge gaps between research, clinical practice, industry, and policymaking to improve hearing care worldwide.

The CAN Foundation is dedicated to:

• Executing innovative projects in hearing care and hearing technology.
• Facilitating scientific publications to disseminate research and knowledge.
• Stimulating collaboration among academics, clinicians, policymakers, patients, and industry partners to promote accessible, data-driven, and AI-supported hearing care.
• Organizing digital and in-person events, such as conferences, workshops, and courses, to foster knowledge sharing.
• Maintaining a digital platform to enhance global cooperation and standardization in hearing care.
• Making scientific knowledge more accessible to a broad audience, ensuring inclusivity and equity in hearing healthcare.

Why It Matters:

The foundation was created to address global challenges in hearing healthcare by supporting the CAN-SIG to:

• Leverage technology and data to improve diagnostics, treatments, and accessibility.
• Promote open science and collaboration to accelerate innovation.
• Ensure that advancements in hearing care are accessible to all, regardless of geographical or economic barriers.

The CAN Foundation and CAN-SIG embody a community-driven approach, uniting stakeholders to shape the future of hearing science and care through shared knowledge and collective action.

The ISA / CAN Special Interest Group (CAN-SIG)

The ISA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Computational Audiology Network to form a special interest group (SIG) within the ISA. CAN followers that meet the CAN membership requirements are encouraged to join our SIG.We’re looking for active, dedicated members — be they professionals or students from fields relevant to computational audiology (e.g audiology, AI, engineering, etc). Ideas for new initiatives or ways to interact with peers are welcome and are appreciated.We’re proud of the diversity and international representation at our conferences, reflecting the varied challenges and resources available worldwide. This diversity is crucial for developing new tools for people with hearing loss.

Our SIG is committed to inclusivity, welcoming scientists, clinicians, engineers, developers, and all who are eager to contribute to this vibrant field. We look forward to your participation in CAN – SIG, where together we can learn and collectively shape the future of hearing healthcare.

Applying for Membership

We hope you are interested in joining us as a CAN member via the CAN – SIG! We are recruiting active members, who are professionals or students in a field related to computational audiology. Membership is inclusive, open for scientists, clinicians, engineers & developers.

Apply to become a member of the CAN – SIG

If you are already a member of the ISA, simply send a mail to gd@e2.co.za stating – please add me to the CAN – SIG.If you are not a member of the ISA, visit the ISA website select the membership navigation tab, complete the online application form as a full member. Select the CAN interest group during the application process.

Cost:

• Full members pay $75 USD for 12 months and $110 USD for 24 months.
• Students including PhD students join for free.
• Do you need support for paying the membership fee? please contact (president@computationalaudiology.com )

Please reach out if you have any questions via president@computationalaudiology.com or by talking to one of our board members. Via the newly created CAN – SIG mailing list we will send you further updates about developments.

Executive Board 

		Bio & Motivation
Gloria Araiza-Illan, PhD University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.		Gloria is a Senior Researcher in the Deniz Başkent Speech Perception Lab. With a background in Biomedical Engineering, and a MSc and PhD in Robotics, she is interested in how human-robot interaction (HRI) can positively affect the performance of children and adults with and without hearing loss when completing speech perception tasks, adapting the robot’s behaviour in search of an optimum communication. Her current research also covers automatic speech recognition, aiming to increase the inclusivity and accessibility of this technology for those with hearing and/or cognitive impairment, as well as for non-native individuals.
Seba Ausili, PhD University of Miami Miami, United States		Seba is a Research Scientist at the University of Miami’s Ear Institute. With a background in Acoustics and a PhD in Neuroscience, he delves into spatial multisensory integration, investigating spatial awareness in individuals with sensory impairments. His research also focuses on cochlear health post-cochlear implantation, leveraging innovative techniques and telemedicine for patient-centered and personalized care.
Karina De Sousa, PhD – General Secretary University of Pretoria Pretoria, South Africa		Karina is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She has a background in speech recognition tests as a screening tool to detect and classify types of hearing loss. Her more current research is translational and centers on mHealth and self-fitting hearing aids to improve access to hearing care.
Hector Gabriel Corrale de Matos, BSc – Web developer Bauru School of Dentistry – University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil		Hector is a master student in Human Communication Processes and Disorders at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. He is a Wikimedian and engaged in translational international research on the use of Wikimedia projects as an active learning methodology and crowdsourcing tool in hearing health. Hector also served as a Planetary Health Alliance Campus Ambassador focusing on the hearing in the context of the climate crisis.
Clément Gaultier, PhD Hearing Institute, Paris, France		Clément is a research Fellow at the Center for Research and Innovation in Human Audiology (Hearing Institute), in Paris, France. His recent research studies computational and signal-processing methods for improving speech and sound perception in noise with hearing devices, particularly cochlear implants. He is also interested in computational approaches to better diagnose, model hidden hearing disorders and decode speech perception from recordings of neural activity. He is aiming at bridging the lab and the clinics through open-science, new diagnostic tools and patient-centered translational auditory science.
Tobias Goehring, PhD  University of Cambridge Cambridge, United Kingdom		Tobias’ research is on improving speech-in-noise perception with hearing devices by using technology and engineering tools (eg machine learning, multi-sensory integration, EEG). He is interested in computational methods for on-device processing and patient-specific optimisation, data analysis for outcome assessment and prediction, and overcoming barriers to access hearing care globally.
Simone Graetzer, PhD University of Salford Greater Manchester, United Kingdom		Simone Graetzer MIOA MASA is a Senior Research Fellow in the Acoustics Research Group at the University of Salford in the U.K. Her work is mainly in Acoustics and Psychoacoustics with human health and sustainability applications, communication in noise and hearing aid signal processing. She is Chair of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) Equity, Diversity and Inclusion working group and the Women in Acoustics subgroup. She is a Co-Lead in the EPSRC Noise Network Plus and a Co-Investigator, Management Board member and EDI Champion in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Sound Futures.
Jessica Monaghan, PhD  National Acoustic Laboratories Sydney, Australia		Jessica has a background in Physics and Engineering with expertise in automatic speech recognition, psychoacoustics, and noise-reduction techniques for hearing devices. Her current research at the National Acoustic Laboratories centers on leveraging machine learning and technology to enhance diagnosis and communication for people with hearing loss.
Nikki Philpott, PhD – Treasurer Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen Nijmegen, The Netherlands		Nikki is a final year PhD candidate at Radboud university medical center. With a background in Audiology, her current research focuses on data-driven auditory training programs and prediction of speech perception in cochlear implant users. She is passionate about person-centered care and empowering CI users with individualized care and home-based testing and rehabilitation solutions.
Joaquin T. Valderrama, PhD University of Granada Granada, Spain		Joaquin is a Ramón y Cajal Fellow at the University of Granada, Spain, where he works in the Department of Signal Theory, Telematics, and Communications. With a background in signal processing and auditory neuroscience, his research focuses on developing novel biomarkers for the early detection of hearing loss and understanding how the auditory system uses binaural cues and adapts to complex, noisy environments. He is a Council Member of the International Evoked Response Audiometry Study Group (IERASG), a society dedicated to fostering discussion and research in hearing neuroscience. Joaquin is also passionate about public science communication, teaching, and mentoring students at various stages of their academic and professional journeys. More information about his research, publications, and projects is available at:
Shangqiguo Wang, PhD The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China		Shang is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Hong Kong with a background in clinical audiology. His research focuses on developing quick and efficient methods for hearing and cognitive screening using the digit-in-noise test. His interests include hearing cognitive science, tele-audiology, and speech perception in noise. He is dedicated to advancing clinical audiology through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative, technology-driven solutions.
Jan-Willem Wasmann, PhD – President Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen Nijmegen, The Netherlands		Jan-Willem’s recent work includes data driven CI fitting techniques, remote care and AI chatbots in hearing healthcare. He would like to stimulate the creation of a network of more (hybrid) AI & Audiology experts and hopes CAN could lead to novel projects.

Advisory Board

Dennis Barbour, PhD 
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, United States

Deniz Başkent, PhD
University of Groningen & University Medical Center Groningen
Groningen, The Netherlands

Deborah Viviane Ferrari, PhD
University of São Paulo – Bauru Campus
São Paulo, Brazil

Volker Hohmann, PhD 
University of Oldenburg
Oldenburg, Germany

Liepollo Ntlhakana, PhD
University of the Witwatersrand
City of Johannesburg, South Africa

Alessia Paglialonga, PhD
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Milan, Italy

De Wet Swanepoel, PhD
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa

Fan-Gang Zeng, PhD 
University of California
Irvine, United States

Editors

Mareike Buhl, PhD
University of Oldenburg
Oldenburg, Germany

Karina De Sousa, PhD
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa

Tobias Goehring, PhD 
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom

Jessica Monaghan, PhD 
National Acoustic Laboratories
Sydney, Australia

Anna Warzybok, PhD
University of Oldenburg
Oldenburg, Germany

 Kaye Xianhui Wang, PhD
University of California
Irvine, United States

Jan-Willem Wasmann, MSc
Radboud Medical Center Nijmegen
Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Webdesigner

Iris Cedée
Iris Digitalis