AUDITO: A Web-based Listening Test System for Auditory Research with Cochlear Implant Recipients
A web-based test system has been developed and validated to facilitate data collection and collaboration for cochlear implant research.
Abstracts submitted to VCCA2024
Effect Of Broadband Gain Frequency Shaping On Horizontal Localization Performance In Individuals With Normal Hearing
The study investigates the effect of channel interaction between the bandpass filters in multi-channel Hearing Aids on sound localization abilities. This was done by implementing broadband frequency shaping at low frequency channels. The study finding indicates that custom-written MATLAB code effectively preserves spatial cues, potentially due to characteristics of the filters used and high-resolution signal processing.
A 3D computational model framework of the stimulated peripheral auditory system
This study presents a comprehensive computational modeling framework of the peripheral auditory system, integrating 3D volume geometries with numerical simulation to investigate the mechanisms of electrically and acoustically stimulated cochlear implants, with potential applications in clinical fitting, neural health assessment, and perceptual tasks for cochlear implant patients.
That Looks Noisy: Creating an accessible self-report hearing questionnaire
We describe the development and validation of a language-independent ‘Image-based questionnaire’ (IBQ) for assessing hearing in which written descriptions of listening situations are replaced with images (photographs).
Optimizing the Chinese Zodiac-in-Noise Test with antiphasic stimuli
Applying antiphasic stimuli in the ZIN hearing test can improve the screening sensitivity.
Towards a detection and correction algorithm for expanding applicable time-range of EMAs for challenging situations
The development of a detection and correction algorithm that better aligns the objective sound environment with the Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) being completed.
A Combined Model for Electrocochleography Simulations in Cochlear Implant Users
Computational model that includes customizability of biophysical parameters for simulating electrocochleography responses in cochlear implant users.
Accuracy and repeatability of Chatbot Responses in Audiology
This study aims to assess three prominent chatbots - OpenAI ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini - in their ability to respond to audiological questions.
Temporal interactions between pulses in CI users: a look through the modelling of neural distortion responses
We used modelling to investigate whether phenomena such as refractoriness and facilitation as early as the auditory nerve are sufficient to create a neural distortion response.
Directing selective attention in noisy environments is affected by hearing loss across the lifespan
Listeners with normal hearing can deploy spatial attention to improve speech intelligibility in spatialised settings, but this ability is affected by hearing loss, and likely contributes to difficulties listening in noisy environments.
Bionic Acoustic Camera
Implementation of a Bionic Acoustic Camera using an artificial head, to be used as a demonstrator for spatial hearing mechanisms and an algorithm testing platform.
Quick and objective hearing threshold estimation with semi-dry EEG
Comparison between hearing thresholds obtained via EEG and PTA demonstrates the potential for efficient and objective hearing threshold estimation using EEG.
Co-designing a hearing loss screening app with individuals with dementia
We co-designed a tablet-based hearing screening tool with individuals living with dementia using the PERsona-CEntred Participatory Technology (PERCEPT) approach, which effectively engaged individuals with dementia in its design and demonstrated the practical benefits of using personas in creating accessible audiological solutions.
Open-source auditory models of normal-hearing and hearing-impaired processing
This workshop aims to demonstrate how openly accessible auditory models can help us simulate auditory processing for normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners, and how they can be used to develop optimal sound-processing strategies for real-world applications such as hearing aids.
The Impact of Ambient Noise on the Reliability of Home-Based Remote Audiometry
The Jacoti Hearing Center application utilizes continuous noise monitoring and adaptive test control to deliver reliable audiometric results for hearing assessments in non-ideal acoustic conditions, demonstrating its potential for remote home-based hearing assessment.
Curating routinely collected hearing-health data to facilitate the equitable re-use of NHS data for translational research using the OMOP framework
The National Institute of Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Health Informatics Collaborative (HIC) for Hearing Health has developed a pipeline which allows hospitals to standardise patient audiogram data, making it easier to combine these data in a research database.
Design of an End-to-End Deep Learning Sound Coding Strategy for Cochlear Implants and Validation through an Objective Metric based on Mutual Information
In this presentation we explore Deep ACE, an end-to-end speech-denoising sound coding strategy for cochlear implants. Its performance is evaluated using vSAMII, an objective metric based on mutual information that incorporates a physiological model of the human auditory system.
A Non-spiking Model of an Electrically Stimulated Auditory Nerve Fiber
We propose an adaptive leaky-integrate and firing probability (aLIFP) model of an electrically stimulated auditory nerve fiber, which outputs the spike probability distribution over time and accounts for refractoriness, facilitation, accommodation, and long-term adaptation.
Speech Stimuli Creation using Deep-Learning Based Voice Conversion
A deep-learning-based pipeline for effectively disentangling speaker-specific attributes from linguistic content, enabling the creation of parametric voice stimuli at high sampling rates.
Effect of Interaural Asymmetrical Electrode Deactivation on Sentence Recognition in Noise and Spatial Release from Masking in Simulated Bilateral Cochlear Implant Listening
Inter-aural asymmetrical electrode deactivation do not affect the spatial release from masking in simulated bilateral cochlear implants with 'n-of-m' signal processing.
Predicting Individual Hearing Aid Preference from Listening Experiences in Daily Life
Ecological Momentary Assessments can provide an accurate prognostic prediction (over 93%, on average) of hearing-aid preference if contextual features, such as the ambient sound level and signal-to-noise ratio, are included.
Music perception with hearing aids: compression differentially affects musical scene analysis and musical sound quality
Studying listeners with moderate hearing impairments, we observed a general hearing aid benefit for music perception and differential effects of fast and slow hearing aid compression on selective musical listening and sound quality ratings.
Modeling Auditory Attention with Deep Neural Networks
In this work, we instantiate a deep learning model of feature based attention that performs on-par with human listeners in the cocktail party problem.
Acoustic response of ear canal combined between ear simulator and acoustic coupled cavity by numerical simulation computation and actual measurement
Acoustic response of ear canal combined between ear simulator and acoustic coupled cavity by numerical simulation computation and actual measurement.
Big Data Analysis on Coupling Selection and Model Development of a Data Driven Dome Proposer
We herein study a neural network-based approach for acoustic coupling selection in hearing devices, significantly enhancing user acceptance by incorporating previously overlooked factors such as user experience and contralateral hearing loss.
Unintentional cues in psychophysical spectral ripple tests: Insights from models of acoustic and electric hearing
Using models of acoustic and electric hearing, we were able to visualize unintentional cues in the spectral ripple test and spectrally modulated ripple test.
From business need to model monitoring: Optimizing manufacturing of custom hearing aids with machine learning
This presentation will introduce a framework used for developing and deploying cloud-based machine learning models in the context of a project aimed at optimizing manufacturing of custom (in-the-ear style) hearing aids by improved detection of electroacoustic test failures due to feedback.
Unveiling Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension as a Stealthy Culprit of Unilateral Hearing Loss: A case report
Case study discussing unilateral hearing loss because of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension which is a rare occurrence with highly variable clinical manifestations.
A computational model of the auditory periphery applicable to round window stimulation
A computational model of the auditory periphery applicable to round window stimulation.
Big data and data standards in audiology
The special session aims to assess the state-of-the-art of data standards available in audiology, and to discuss its potential, challenges, and required steps towards successful standardization. In the featured talk, we will introduce the openEHR approach, and discuss input from the VCCA community (collected by a survey conducted before). In a panel discussion, we will have different experts from audiology, data science/artificial intelligence, and database infrastructure perspective.
Integrating the ICF Framework for Comprehensive Hearing and Functioning Assessment Using the HEAR-COMMAND Tool to Enhance Clinical Practice
Validation and Research Findings of the HEAR-COMMAND Tool: An ICF-Based Questionnaire.
A Noise-Induced Permanent Threshold Shift Prediction Model Based on Deep Convolutional Multi-Task Learning
A novel deep learning model with a convolutional multi-task learning architecture to effectively predict noise-induced permanent threshold shifts.
Improving the classification of noise haters and distortion haters with mixture latent state-trait autoregressive modelling
We show that listening preferences can be measured with sufficient stability outside the laboratory, but that these preferences are not fully stable over time, so that classification of individuals for more personalised hearing aid fitting needs to take into account both trait stability and day-to-day variability in listening preferences.
Comparative Analysis of EEG-Based Sound Location Decoding between Real and Virtual Listening
This study compares EEG-based decoding of sound source locations between real (free-field) and virtual (non-individual HRTF) listening environments, finding differences in decoding accuracy and latency that suggest weaker neural representations and processing delays in certain virtual settings.
Translating the Panoramic ECAP Method to Clinic
The Panoramic ECAP Method is being made accessible online to allow researchers and clinicians alike to collect the relevant Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potentials and subsequently extract patient-specific estimates of current spread and neural responsiveness for cochlear implant users.
Investigating the Efficacy of the Automatic Classifier AutoSense Sky OS for Children with Cochlear Implants in a Virtual Reality Classroom and other Complex Acoustic Environments
A new listening test in a virtual reality classroom measured speech intelligibility from the front and sound detection from other directions to evaluate the efficacy of automatically switching to directional microphone mode by AutoSense Sky OS in children with cochlear implants.
Searching for individual differences in audiovisual integration of speech in noise
A new, single parameter model of audiovisual integration (the Multi-Stage Noise model) suggests that differences in unisensory processing account for ~90% of the variance of individual differences in audiovisual speech perception, when applied to a large dataset of speech perception across 3 modalities (audio, visual, audiovisual).
AI-powered Speech Intelligibility Assessment for Children
This study explored the validation of using artificial intelligence (AI) methods to improve the efficiency and accuracy of speech intelligibility assessment for children.
Hearing aid evaluation for music: Accounting for acoustical variability within and between music genres
This presentation will explore the between and within music genre variability on acoustical descriptors and its application to hearing aid evaluation.
Machine Access to Audiology Content on English Wikipedia
The study investigates the availability of hearing health information on Wikipedia, focusing on categories like Sound, Audiology, and Acoustics. Utilizing tools like PetScan and Pageviews, it analyzes article depth and user/machine engagement. Results show high access to certain categories, suggesting a need for improved curation of hearing health content.