Quarterly update 17: CAN at WCA

Quarterly update 17: CAN at WCA

Newsroom Computational Audiology, Sep 30

Dear all,

We are thrilled to share the success of our World Congress of Audiology (WCA) 2024 experience in Paris! This year marked our first in-person CAN gathering and a very well-received Special Session on Computational Audiology. Please share your expertise to increase chatbots via the surveys below. And let students join the World Hearing Forum’s (WHF) Student Changemakers Awards initiative.

Highlights from the CAN Special Session

On Sunday, September 22, 2024, our session featured exciting talks on AI-driven innovations in hearing healthcare:

  • Prof. Sarah Verhulst: Personalized neural-network-based hearing aids
  • Dr. Simone Graetzer: Machine learning to improve music and speech
  • Dr. Nihaad Paraouty: Automating audiometry
  • Prof. De Wet Swanepoel: AI chatbots in hearing healthcare

The talks sparked fascinating discussions, although we ran out of time for the planned panel. Below are some sessions highlights, including a photo at the ISA stand immediately after the session.

 

First In-Person CAN Social Event

We also hosted our first informal CAN social gathering, with members from across the globe. It was a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and strengthen our community. We hope to recreate this experience at future events!

CAN social drink

Interested in Joining CAN?

The Computational Audiology Network (CAN) is dedicated to advancing hearing healthcare through data science, AI, and computational methods. By joining CAN, you will:

  • Engage with a global network of professionals
  • Access shared knowledge, datasets, and tools
  • Collaborate across academia, industry, and clinical practice

As a CAN member, you can participate in events like the Virtual Conference on Computational Audiology (VCCA) and other workshops. Our Special Interest Group (SIG) within the International Society of Audiology (ISA) is open to new members. Simply email gd@e2.co.za to join if you’re an ISA member, or visit the ISA website to apply and select CAN as your interest group.

Cost:

  • Full membership: $75 for 12 months, or $110 for 24 months
  • Students (including PhDs): Free

If you need financial support for membership fees, please contact president@computationalaudiology.com.

News and Announcements

  • The CAN Special Interest Group (CAN-SIG) has reached >100 members! Want to join us? Find out more about CAN-SIG membership here.
  • VCCA 2025 is coming! Stay tuned for more details soon.
  • Check this publication by Thais Morata et al. about Strategies for crowdsourcing hearing health information
  • Have news to share? Let us know!

 

Share your Expertise!

We have two independently developed surveys assessing the accuracy of AI chatbot-generated responses that could be used in hearing healthcare. We invite audiologists with clinical experience to contribute by completing these surveys. Survey A was developed by a group from São Paulo, and Survey B from Pretoria. Want a fun way to choose? Flip a coin: heads for Survey A, tails for Survey B—or become a super contributor by doing both!

Survey A: Participate in a Study Evaluating AI-Generated Responses on WHO’s Hearing Aid Service Delivery Approaches for LMIC Settings

We invite audiologists with clinical experience to complete a short 20-30 minute survey assessing 24 AI-generated texts based on WHO priorities for hearing aid service delivery in low- and middle-income countries. Your feedback on these AI-generated texts will help guide the future of AI in hearing healthcare.

This survey is designed by Hector G.C. de Matos (USP) under the supervision of Jan-Willem Wasmann (Radboudumc), Lilian C.B. Jacob (USP), and Thais C. Morata (NIOSH/CDC).

Survey B: Study on AI Chatbots in Audiology Case Interpretation

We invite qualified audiologists with at least 2 years of clinical experience to participate in a 20-minute survey. The study aims to compare the accuracy and quality of hearing care advice provided by AI-based chatbots with that of audiologists, specifically in the interpretation and management of cases involving adults with hearing loss.

Participants will be randomly assigned one of two roles:

  1. Interpret case studies and provide management recommendations.
  2. Evaluate the accuracy of previously completed interpretations.

This research is conducted by Nicole Labuschagne (University of Pretoria) under the supervision of Prof. De Wet Swanepoel, Prof. Faheema Mahomed-Asmail, and Prof. Vinaya Manchaiah.

Once consent to contact is obtained, the research team will reach out to you.

For any feedback about the surveys, please reach out to:

Calling All Student Changemakers!

Please share this exciting opportunity with undergraduate and graduate students. They are invited to join a global initiative to transform hearing health by developing innovative solutions for ear and hearing care in low- and middle-income countries.

Why It Matters: Nearly 60% of childhood hearing loss is preventable, yet only 17% of those needing hearing aids have access. Your innovative ideas can bridge this gap and make a lasting impact.

🏆 Prizes:
🥇 1st Place: $15,000 + Presentation at the World Hearing Forum 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland
🥈 2nd Place: $10,000
🥉 3rd Place: $5,000

Teams must include at least two students and an academic advisor. Multidisciplinary collaboration is highly encouraged! Submit innovative ideas in prevention, assistive technologies, or training and education for a chance to win cash awards and expert mentorship. Applications are due by December 3, 2024.

Learn more and apply: World Hearing Forum Student Changemakers Awards.

Up Next

Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming. Computational Audiology Network events. We look forward to your participation!

Last edited 2 Oct 24.