Australian Hearing Hub

AHH seminar: Hearing Loss, Aging, and Public Health
2019-05-02 00:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Speaker: Professor Frank Lin
Date: Friday 10 May
Time: 9.00am – 10.00am
Location: Australian Hearing Hub, Level 1, Lecture Theatre
Agenda:
9.00am – 9.05am – Welcome
9.05am – 9.45am – Presentation
9.45am – 10.00am – Q & A
Abstract:
Medicine and public health have evolved through three eras over the past century. Beginning in the first half of the 20th century, infectious diseases were controlled for the first time in human history through vaccinations, hygiene, and other strategies. Subsequently, throughout the 20th century, chronic diseases of middle and later life (e.g., cardiovascular disease, cancers) became the leading causes of mortality but have also increasingly been better controlled. These successes of public health have led to a rapidly increasing population of older adults living longer than ever before. In this third era of public health, we are now confronting the challenge of aging and how to best optimize the health and functioning of a growing population of older adults. In this era, hearing and our ability to engage effectively with the environment around us are critically important but not yet priorities in the spheres of public health and public policy.
I will discuss research over the past several years that has demonstrated the broad implications of hearing loss for the health and functioning of older adults, particularly with respect to cognitive functioning, brain aging, and dementia. I will then discuss how this epidemiologic research has directly informed and led to current national initiatives focused on hearing loss and public health. These initiatives include the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) randomized controlled trial, the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017, and the development of novel accessible and affordable approaches to hearing care delivery.
Bio:
Frank R. Lin, M.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health and a Professor of Otolaryngology, Medicine, Mental Health, and Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Lin completed his medical education, residency in Otolaryngology, and Ph.D. in Clinical Investigation, all at Johns Hopkins. He completed further otologic fellowship training in Lucerne, Switzerland. Dr. Lin’s clinical practice is dedicated to otology and the medical and surgical management of hearing loss. His public health research focuses on understanding how hearing loss affects the health and functioning of older adults and the strategies and policies needed to mitigate these effects. From 2014-2016, Lin led initiatives with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (workshop, consensus study), the White House President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and Congress that resulted in passage of the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 which overturned 40 years of established regulatory precedent in the U.S. This federal law reflects the direct result of his prior research and broader policy work around hearing loss and public health. He currently serves as a member of the Board on Health Sciences Policy at the National Academies. As the director of the Cochlear Center, he oversees over $30 million in committed NIH and philanthropic funding dedicated to advancing the mission areas of the Center.
Registration: Entry is free and open to the public.
Please register by Tuesday 7 May 2019 to louise.dodd@mq.edu.au

AHH seminar: Evoked responses to speech: Improving measurement, understanding limitations ...
2019-05-01 00:00
Speaker: A/Prof. Steven Bell
Date: Monday 8 July
Time: 10.00am – 11.30am
Location: Australian Hearing Hub, Level 1, Lecture Theatre
Agenda:
10.00am – 10.05am – Welcome
10.05am – 10.45am – Presentation
11.45am – 11.00am – Q & A
11.00am – 11.30am – Networking & Refreshments
Abstract:
Measuring evoked responses to speech is generally more challenging than evoking responses to repeating artificial stimuli. A number of methods have been proposed to measure speech evoked responses including brainstem responses to repeating consonant-vowel stimuli, envelope following responses to voiced speech, cortical responses to consonants and decoding the envelope of running speech from cortical activity. Our group is interested in optimising the detection of such responses, understanding measurements limitations (for example reliability and measurement time) and assessing potential clinical applications such as evaluating hearing aid function.
This presentation will summarise findings from a recent collaboration between the Universities of Southampton, Manchester and Imperial College that explored measurement approaches for evoked responses to speech with an aim to use such responses to optimise hearing aid fittings for individuals. Improvements to response measurement arising from the project include better statistical detection of envelope following responses, relatively fast measurement of cortical responses to sentences and a new approach for measuring brainstem responses to running speech.
Using running speech has good face validity to evaluate hearing aids. Cortical responses to running speech can be measured in a reasonable time scale in the majority of older adults with mild to moderate presbycusis, so they have potential as a clinical measurement tool. Cortical responses to speech do not appear not very sensitive to the effects of hearing aid gain for mild to moderate high frequency loss, although we have not tested the effects for more severe losses or higher gains. The detection of brainstem responses to running speech appears relatively low for older adults compared to younger normal hearing subjects and this may limit the clinical application of speech brainstem responses in adults compared to cortical measures.
Future applications of evoked responses to running speech could include the prediction of speech in noise performance or exploring auditory processing disorders.
Bio:
Dr Steven Bell is Associate Professor of Audiology within Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Southampton. He is a registered Clinical Scientist and coordinates the MSc in Audiology at Southampton. His primary area of research involves evoked responses: Measuring electrical responses from the hearing and balance system in response to sensory stimulation. He is also interested in methods to test human balance and to evaluate the benefits of hearing aids and cochlear implants. His research has been supported by bodies including Action on Hearing Loss, the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC), the Oticon Foundation and the National Institute for Health Research and he recently led the EPSRC project ‘Personalized fitting and evaluation of hearing aids with EEG responses’.
Registration: Entry is free and open to the public.
Please register by Wednesday 3 July 2019 to louise.dodd@mq.edu.au

AHH seminar: Hearing Loss, Aging, and Public Health
2019-04-30 00:00
Speaker: Professor Frank Lin
Date: Friday 10 May
Time: 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Location: Australian Hearing Hub, Level 1, Lecture Theatre
Agenda:
1.00pm – 1.05pm – Welcome
1.05pm – 1.45pm – Presentation
1.45pm – 2.00pm – Q & A
2.00pm – 2.30pm – Networking & Refreshments
Abstract:
Medicine and public health have evolved through three eras over the past century. Beginning in the first half of the 20th century, infectious diseases were controlled for the first time in human history through vaccinations, hygiene, and other strategies. Subsequently, throughout the 20th century, chronic diseases of middle and later life (e.g., cardiovascular disease, cancers) became the leading causes of mortality but have also increasingly been better controlled. These successes of public health have led to a rapidly increasing population of older adults living longer than ever before. In this third era of public health, we are now confronting the challenge of aging and how to best optimize the health and functioning of a growing population of older adults. In this era, hearing and our ability to engage effectively with the environment around us are critically important but not yet priorities in the spheres of public health and public policy.
I will discuss research over the past several years that has demonstrated the broad implications of hearing loss for the health and functioning of older adults, particularly with respect to cognitive functioning, brain aging, and dementia. I will then discuss how this epidemiologic research has directly informed and led to current national initiatives focused on hearing loss and public health. These initiatives include the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) randomized controlled trial, the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017, and the development of novel accessible and affordable approaches to hearing care delivery.
Bio:
Frank R. Lin, M.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health and a Professor of Otolaryngology, Medicine, Mental Health, and Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Lin completed his medical education, residency in Otolaryngology, and Ph.D. in Clinical Investigation, all at Johns Hopkins. He completed further otologic fellowship training in Lucerne, Switzerland. Dr. Lin’s clinical practice is dedicated to otology and the medical and surgical management of hearing loss. His public health research focuses on understanding how hearing loss affects the health and functioning of older adults and the strategies and policies needed to mitigate these effects. From 2014-2016, Lin led initiatives with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (workshop, consensus study), the White House President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and Congress that resulted in passage of the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 which overturned 40 years of established regulatory precedent in the U.S. This federal law reflects the direct result of his prior research and broader policy work around hearing loss and public health. He currently serves as a member of the Board on Health Sciences Policy at the National Academies. As the director of the Cochlear Center, he oversees over $30 million in committed NIH and philanthropic funding dedicated to advancing the mission areas of the Center.
Registration: Entry is free and open to the public.
Please register by Tuesday 7 May 2019 to louise.dodd@mq.edu.au

AHH seminar: Evidence-based interventions for adult aural rehabilitation: : that ...
2019-04-18 00:00
Speaker: Dr Melanie Ferguson
Date: Monday 13 May
Time: 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Location: Australian Hearing Hub, Level 1, Lecture Theatre
Agenda:
1.00pm – 1.05pm – Welcome
1.05pm – 1.45pm – Presentation
1.45pm – 2.00pm – Q & A
2.00pm – 2.30pm – Networking & Refreshments
Abstract:
In 2007, Arthur Boothroyd published the often-cited “Adult Aural Rehabilitation: what is it and does it work?”. More than a decade on, this presentation will examine developments in adult aural rehabilitation (AR) to improve auditory function, activity, participation and quality of life through research relating to the four cornerstones of AR intervention: hearing aids and other listening devices (sensory management), knowledge and skill (instruction), auditory and cognitive training (perceptual training), and motivational engagement (counselling).
Self-management and behavior change are at the core of many of these interventions. There is a focus on the need for high-quality research as this is needed to provide rigorous evidence to inform clinical practice and national guidelines. Much of this new research has a theoretical underpinning (e.g. behavior change theory) to better guide the development and evaluation of interventions, increasing likelihood of implementation of research into clinical practice. The role of new and emerging technologies that support e- and m-health delivery of interventions to increase access, personalisation and engagement of patients with hearing healthcare will be discussed. Looking to the future, the requirement for a set of relevant and appropriate outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions trialed in clinical studies will be highlighted.
Bio:
Mel Ferguson has recently become the Head of Audiology at NAL, and has responsibility for the Adult Hearing Loss research area. Prior to that she was an Associate Professor in Hearing Sciences and Consultant Clinical Scientist (audiology) at the NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, UK. Her translational research programme on Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss aimed to promote healthy hearing by reducing activity limitations and participation restrictions. This research focussed on (i) e-health and self-management, (ii) listening and cognition, and (iii) listening devices. These primary themes were underpinned by health behaviour, patient-centred approaches and outcome measures. Previously, Mel worked at the MRC Institute of Hearing Research, and was the head of the Clinical Section. There she worked on early screening for hearing loss, modernising hearing aid services, and APD in children.
Mel has a long track record in audiology professional affairs, with leadership roles in the British Society of Audiology and British Academy of Audiology. For example, she was Chair of the BSA Adult Rehabilitation Interest Group, Chair of the BAA Higher Training committee, and until recently was the Vice-chair for BSA. She contributed to developing national clinical guidelines on hearing Loss as a member of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline development committee.
Registration: Entry is free and open to the public.
Please register by Wednesday 8 May 2019 to louise.dodd@mq.edu.au

The Shepherd Centre's first live Crowdfunding Event
2019-03-11 00:00

An accessible Junior Science Academy program for deaf or hard ...
2019-03-07 00:00
17 April: Bird Time Lucky (years 2-3)
18 April: Incredible Forces (years 2-3)
Children are introduced to science concepts and skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Courses teach the concepts through experiments, art, drama, physical activity, craft and other hands-on activities.
Children meet others with similar life experiences to them and enjoy making new social connections.
Parents may be able to claim some or all fees through the NDIS. Speak to your planner.
Auslan interpreters will be available to assist children in classes.

T0 find out more and register, please go to Junior Science Academy
Class descriptions
Incredible Forces (years 2-3) 18 AprilLearning experiences include:
Balloon rockets Egg-citing science
Push and pull dance Magnetic forces
Make a bridge that can withstand strong push forces

Bird Time Lucky (years 2-3) 17 April
Bird features
Bird walk- what can you find? Bird talk – special guest
Bird beaks and adaptations

AHH seminar: Music and Hearing Loss
2019-02-21 00:00
Presenters: A/Prof Alexandre Lehmann, Chi Yhun Lo, Remi Marchand, Nille Elise Kepp
Date: Thursday 28 February 2019
Time: 2.00pm – 4.30pm
Location: Level 1, Lecture Theatre 1.200, Australian Hearing Hub
Agenda:
2.00pm – 2.30pm: A novel virtual reality test to explore spatial localization abilities, musical pitch ranking abilities, and low frequency residual hearing in 7 – 12-year old Danish children with hearing loss.
Nille Elise Kepp (University of Copenhagen, Decibel)
This presentation will consist of preliminary results and clinical experiences; and future directions exploring the potential associations between performance in musical timbre perception and spatial localisation abilities, musical pitch ranking abilities, and low frequency residual hearing.
2.30pm – 3.00pm: Factors influencing enjoyment of music with hearing aids.
Remi Marchand (The HEARing CRC, Macquarie University)
Currently, hearing aids (HAs) are adjusted to compensate for individual hearing loss primarily to maximise the clarity and comfort of speech. Electroacoustic characteristics and settings of HAs may be ideal for speech recognition, but not for music enjoyment. Some aspects of the signal processing involved in HA design may interfere with the enjoyment of music. As an alternative to the standard fitting methods, most of the manufacturers offer different processing programs for customers in need of a specific amplification for music. However, recent studies suggested that these music programs may not improve significantly the experience of music listening and can still be optimized.
3.00pm – 3.30pm: Beyond audition: the benefits of music for children with hearing loss.
Chi Yhun Lo (Macquarie University, The HEARing CRC, The ARC Centre for Cognition and its Disorders)
The benefits of music training are only beginning to be explored for children with hearing loss. While the focus has been primarily on auditory benefits, music is well-noted for being a multisensory experience that places unique demands on motor skills, cognition, vision, and audition. After 12-weeks of music training that consisted of face-to-face group based sessions supplemented by music apps; children with hearing loss improved in communication skills that extend beyond speech perception—highlighting the broader benefits of music participation.
3.30pm – 4.00pm: Musical emotions in cochlear implant users.
Alexandre Lehmann (McGill University, International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research, and Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music)
The most common reason for listening to music is its rich emotional content. With a cochlear implant (CI), a deaf person can hear again and learn to understand speech. But their ability to enjoy music or perceive emotions is dramatically altered, partly because the sound signal is degraded, and very different from acoustic hearing. This has far-reaching negative consequences, because accurately perceiving emotions in language and music plays a crucial role for social development and integration, communication, employment prospects and overall quality of life.
In this talk, I will address the following questions:

How accurate are implant users at perceiving auditory emotions?
Which auditory features best convey emotions through cochlear implants?
How do emotion-evoked brain responses differ between implant users and normal hearing controls?

4.00pm – 4.30pm: Networking and Refreshments
Registration: Entry is free and open to the public.
Please register by Tuesday 26 February 2019 to Chi Lo chi.lo@mq.edu.au

Indigenous Hearing Health Symposium, incorporating the 2019 Libby Harricks Memorial ...
2019-02-11 00:00
Date: Tuesday 5 March
Time: 9:00am – 1:30pm
Location: Macquarie University, Australian Hearing Hub, Level 1 Lecture Theatre
To mark World Hearing Day and Hearing Awareness Week, H:EAR – Hearing Education Application Research, Macquarie University and the Australian Hearing Hub invite you to an Indigenous Hearing Health symposium on Tuesday 5 March 2019.
The event will open with the 2019 Libby Harricks Memorial Oration by Professor Andrew Smith (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), and feature presentations by Professor Amanda Leach (Menzies School of Health Research), Dr Liesa Clague (Macquarie University) and Samantha Harkus (Australian Hearing).
Rates of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) among Aboriginal children living in remote areas in Australia are the highest in the world. (Leach, A. (1999). Otitis media in Australian Aboriginal children: An overview. International Journal Of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 49, S173-S178.)
The symposium will present perspectives on current issues in public health planning and implementation, Indigenous hearing health research, education and service delivery.
Bringing together policy makers, researchers, clinicians, educators and service providers to build knowledge and awareness, we aim to identify the challenges and work towards potential solutions that can lead to better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Register now for this free event
For more information please contact Sally Piper: sally.piper@mq.edu.au
————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Deafness Forum of Australia and Audiology Australia present the annual Libby Harricks Memorial Oration. Since 1999, the Oration series raises awareness of issues of hearing health, deafness and ear and balance disorders. The series honours the memory of the late Libby Harricks AO, the first President of Deafness Forum of Australia. For her work on behalf of hearing-impaired people, Libby was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1990. https://www.deafnessforum.org.au/events/libby-harricks-memorial-oration/

AHH seminar: Insertion techniques to preserve residual hearing
2019-02-06 00:00
Presenter: Professor Arne Ernst
Date: Wednesday 13 February 2019
Time: 12.30pm – 2.00pm
Location: Level 1, Lecture Theatre, Australian Hearing Hub
Agenda:
12.30pm – 12.35pm – Welcome
12.35pm – 1.20pm – Presentation
1.20pm – 1.30pm – Q & A
1.30pm – 2.00pm – Networking and Refreshments
Abstract:
Several approaches have been undertaken over the last decade to preserve residual hearing. In
addition to surgical approaches (e.g., round window insertion, speed-of-insertion), device
modifications (electrode, e.g., shape/diameter of the electrode) and others (e.g., drugs, IOM) have
been investigated.
While the application of steroids in cochlear implantatology (e.g., Bento et al 2016, Skarczynski et al.
2018) has proven success, new, neuromodulatory approaches faile das yet in controlled, clinical
trials.
We therefore have investigated over the last few years in detail which surgical modification can
achieve the best result for preserving residual hearing.
Our model/animal/TB and live experiments looked deeply into the insertion of the CI electrode with
respect to atraumaticity (round window vs. cochleostomy approach), reducing intracochlear pressure
waves (opening technique for the RW, speed-of-insertion), sealing the cochlear opening and cable
positioning (e.g., artificial material, glue).
These results of different series will be summarized to guide the surgeon in their approaches of
improving cochlear implant service and actively promoting the preservation of residual hearing.
Bio: Arne Ernst, MD, PhD
Professor Arne Ernst is chairman of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at UKB, Hospital of the University of Berlin, Charite Medical School and a pioneer of the cochlear implant program in Germany.
He specialises in otology, neurotology, vestibular rehab, and age-related audiovestibular disorders.
His clinical experience includes 250 papers in peer-reviews journals, 8 textbooks on audiology, otology, and neurotology. He has been principal investigator in five large multicentre and multinational studies on iinner ear pharmacology related to hearing loss, tinnitus, preservation of residual hearing in CI, and acute vertigo.
Registration: Entry is free and open to the public.
Please register by Monday 11 February 2019 to Abel Anzaldo: aanzaldo@cochlear.com

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Kids January 2019
2018-12-17 00:00

IERASG 2019 – “Waves down Under” - XXVI Biennial Symposium ...
2018-12-17 00:00

Toward Modelling the Development of Speech Planning in Production
2018-12-04 00:00

Hearing Hub Ideas: Hackathon
2018-11-19 00:00
Photo credit via: www.vpnsrus.com
Date: 12-14 December
Time: 9am – 5pm
Location: Australian Hearing Hub, Level 1, Lecture Theatre
The hackathon will be organised by the machine-learning applications for hearing and hearing-technology ideas group at the Australian Hearing Hub. The goal is to develop collaborations within the Australian Hearing Hub and across the University, generating grant applications and projects leading to innovative technologies in hearing research.
Prizes
1st Prize: $300 for each challenge
2nd Prize: $150 for each challenge
‘People’s Choice’ prize: $100
Challenges
There will be two challenges involving data to be released at the start of the hackathon:
1) How well can speech understanding be predicted from electroencephalogram (EEG) data?
2) Can we determine what factors are causing hearing loss in young people, using a dataset of 1400 respondents that includes lifestyle surveys, physiological measurements and hearing tests?
We are particularly interested in recruiting hackathon participants with backgrounds in computer science, engineering, statistics, or neuroscience. Some programming experience in Python is recommended. Baseline solutions for the challenges will be provided in Python but participants may approach the problems however they wish.
Structure
The hackathon will take place over three days (12-14 December) from 9am to 5pm.
Day 1: AM – Icebreaker, introduction to the challenges, form teams
PM- Hacking
Day 2: Open. For those attending the Australian Hearing Hub, there will be a Python expert at hand to provide support if required. For those working from home or elsewhere, there will be online support throughout the day.
Day 3: AM – Hacking
PM – presentations, judging and prize giving!
Lunch and refreshments will be provided on all three days.
To register click here
Further details about the format of the data and software we recommend installing will be provided here closer to the event.

Two-day workshop: Spatial hearing from biophysics to behaviour
2018-10-01 00:00
Title: Spatial hearing from biophysics to behaviour
Host: Professor David McAlpine
Date, time, location: Monday 8 October, 12:45pm to 5:15pm, Australian Hearing Hub, Level 1, Lecture Theatre
Tuesday 9 October, 9:30am to 5:00pm, 18 Wally’s Walk , MAZE Conference, Room A
This two-day workshop brings together research leaders in the field of binaural and spatial hearing—spanning expertise in human spatial listening, brain-imaging techniques for assessing binaural performance, animal physiology & neural modelling, and therapeutic interventions such as bilateral cochlear implantation—to discuss the state-of-the-art and the way forward if we are to understand how the brain generates a sense of auditory space, and how that spatial processing might be restored in individuals with hearing problems.
Please rsvp chi.lo@mq.edu.au by Thursday 4 October for catering purposes.
Agenda:
Monday 8 October (Australian Hearing Hub, Level 1, Lecture Theatre)

12:45 – 1:20
Antje Ihlefeld
Human sound localization depends on sound intensity: implications for sensory coding

1:20 – 1:55
Jorg Bucholz
More realistic assessment of hearing ability and hearing device benefit

1:55 – 2:30
Mathias Dietz
Factors limiting spatial hearing performance with bilateral cochlear implants and first steps to reduce the shortcomings

2:30 – 3:05
Jaime Undurraga and Jessica Monaghan
Binaural coherence between temporal fine structure and envelope determines interaural time difference sensitivity

3:05 – 3:30
Afternoon tea

3:30 – 4:05
Jörg-Hendrik Bach
Explaining hearing aid fine-tuning gain preferences with binaural loudness summation

4:05 – 4:40
Andy Brughera
Modelling Mechanisms for Sound Localization: ITD-Encoding in Amplitude Modulation & Delay within MSO Neurons

4:40 – 5:15
David McAlpine
Spatial Hearing from biophysics to behaviour

Tuesday, 9 October (18 Wally’s Walk, MAZE Conference, Room A)

9:30 – 10:05
Michael Pecka
Neuronal adaptations for spatial hearing in complex environments

10:05 – 11:10
Barbara Beiderbeck
New perspectives on inhibitory functions in auditory spatial processing

11:10 – 11:30
Morning tea

11:30 – 12:05
Jörg Encke
A Formal Two-Channel Model Explains the Accuracy and Acuity of IPD Perception

12:05 – 12:40
Torsten Marquardt
On the detectability of interaural-parameter co-modulation across frequency bands

12:40 – 1:20
Lunch

1:20 – 2:55
Nick Haywood
Amplitude modulated binaural beats: Lateralization cues from sound onset and from on-going modulation

2:55 – 3:30
Jason Mikiel-Hunter
Lateralization of reverberant speech with ITD cues: perspectives from a linear MSO model with adapting input

3:30 – 3:50
Afternoon tea

3:50 – 4:25
Robert Luke
Interaural Correlation Modulates Cortical Oxyhaemoglobin Concentration

4:25 – 5:00
Hamish Innes-Brown
Hearing assessment using fNIRS: frontiers and challenges

AHH seminar: Novel strategies for inner ear regeneration
2018-09-10 00:00
Presentation title: Novel strategies for inner ear regeneration
Speaker: Judith Kempfle
Date: Thursday 13 September
Time: 1.30pm – 3.00pm
Location: AHH, Level 1, Tutorial Room, 1.620
Agenda:
1.30pm – 1.35pm – Welcome
1.35pm – 2.20pm – Presentation
2.20pm – 2.30pm – Q & A
2.30pm – 3.00pm – Refreshments and networking
Abstract: Cochlear implant users rely on residual spiral ganglion neurons of the inner ear to convey acoustic signals to downstream auditory centers. Prolonged deafness and auditory neuropathy are conditions that are associated with degeneration of cochlear neurons.
The overall goal of our research is to develop novel therapies to regenerate cochlear neurons via endogenous or exogenous techniques. Our work in mice focuses on 1) transplantation of neural progenitors from embryonic stem cells (exogenous) to replace damaged cochlear neurons, 2) regeneration of cochlear neurons from endogenous remaining glial cells via neural conversion, and 3) regeneration of auditory synapses via novel bisphosphonate – small molecule neurotrophic factor hybrid compounds that enables long-term, sustained effects in the cochlea.
Bio: Dr. Judith Kempfle is originally from Germany, and received her M.D. from the Albert Einstein University in Ulm, Germany. From 2008-2012, she did a postdoctoral fellowship with Albert Edge PhD in the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) and Harvard Medical School. There, she examined the role of transcription factor Sox2 on cell fate of cochlear sensory progenitor cells. She returned to Germany for residency in Otolaryngology at Tübingen University Medical Center in the academic scientist track and is now back in Boston at MEEI to continue her research and complete her surgical training.
She is a senior research associate and collaborates with both Albert Edge and David Jung, MD PhD.
Registration: Entry is free and open to the public.
Please register by Tuesday 11 September 2018 to louise.dodd@mq.edu.au

AHH seminar: Expected Value from Listening: Evidence of an Adaptive ...
2018-08-28 00:00
Seminar Title: Expected Value from Listening: Evidence of an Adaptive Control Neural System for Speech Recognition

Presenter: Professor Mark Eckert
Date: Friday 21 September (revised date)
Time: 9.30am – 11.00am
Location: AHH, Level 3, Seminar Room, 3.610
Agenda:
9.30am – 9.35am – Welcome
9.35am – 10.20am – Presentation
10.20am – 10.30am – Q & A
10.30am – 11.00am – Networking and Refreshments
Abstract: Speech recognition in difficult listening conditions occurs with increased brain activity throughout cingulo-opercular regions of the frontal cortex. This activity appears to reflect an adaptive control system that optimizes performance when speech recognition is difficult for listeners, but still possible. These findings and the broader decision sciences literature suggest that listeners use and benefit from adaptive control when there is expected value, as determined by the reward from understanding speech relative to the cost of experiencing listening effort. Understanding a listener’s expected value from communication, coupled with their perceptual abilities, has the potential to guide clinical care.
Bio: Mark Eckert, Ph.D. is a Professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina and a Neuroscientist with more than 20 years of research experience studying language impairments, which has included a primary focus on age-related declines in hearing and speech recognition. Complementing this research is his development of novel analysis methods and software for data sharing that have been widely adopted by the neuroimaging community. www.eckertlab.org.
Registration: Entry is free and open to the public.
Please register by noon Thursday 20 September 2018 to louise.dodd@mq.edu.au

AHH Seminar: The Connectome Model of Deafness: Towards a Personalized ...
2018-08-28 00:00
Seminar Title: The Connectome Model of Deafness: Towards a Personalized Medical Treatment of Hearing Loss
Presenter: Professor Andrej Kral
Date: Tuesday 18 September
Time: 12.30pm – 2.00pm
Location: Level 1, Lecture Theatre, Australian Hearing Hub
Agenda:
12.30pm – 12.35pm – Welcome
12.35pm – 1.20pm – Presentation
1.20pm – 1.30pm – Q & A
1.30pm – 2.00pm – Networking and Refreshments
Abstract: Neural information processing and information storage takes place at synaptic contacts. The brain represents a heavily interconnected neuronal network with connections within and between brain subsystems (like e.g. hearing and vision). These effective connections in their totality (the brain´s connectome) determine the individual´s behavior, memory, perceptions and emotions. All sensory systems are mutually connected, but also connected with other brain regions including the motor system, so that loss of hearing affects more than audition (the connectome model of deafness, Kral et al., 2016, 2017). I will review the information on how hearing loss during development affects auditory processing (e.g. Yusuf et al., 2017; Berger et al., 2017) and cross-modal reorganization (e.g. Land et al., 2016, 2018) and will review the potential central factors that contribute to outcome variations in cochlear implant subjects. I will highlight two phases during which the influence is likely strongest: during development and during aging.
To improve the outcomes of cochlear implantation, an integrated approach is required that allows to collect and analyze the factors and their combinations that contribute to the outcome in each individual. This requires the understanding of the processes behind hearing and the etiopathophysiology of hearing loss to allow personlized approaches to each individual. Only collaboration across many disciplines can provide an individualized treatment that allows optimal outcomes in the future.
Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Germany (Exc 1077) and National Science Foundation, USA (in collaboration DLR, grant # 01GQ1703).
References:
Berger C, Kühne D, Scheper V, Kral A (2017) Congenital deafness affects deep layers in primary and secondary auditory cortex. J Comp Neurol 525:3110-3125.
Kral A, Kronenberger WG, Pisoni DB, O’Donoghue GM (2016) Neurocognitive factors in sensory restoration of early deafness: a connectome model. Lancet Neurol 15:610-621.
Kral A, Yusuf PA, Land R (2017) Higher-order auditory areas in congenital deafness: Top-down interactions and corticocortical decoupling. Hear Res 343:50-63.
Land R, Radecke JO, Kral A (2018) Congenital Deafness Reduces, But Does Not Eliminate Auditory Responsiveness in Cat Extrastriate Visual Cortex. Neurosci 375:149-157.
Land R, Baumhoff P, Tillein J, Lomber SG, Hubka P, Kral A (2016) Cross-Modal Plasticity in Higher-Order Auditory Cortex of Congenitally Deaf Cats Does Not Limit Auditory Responsiveness to Cochlear Implants. J Neurosci 36:6175-6185.
Yusuf PA, Hubka P, Tillein J, Kral A (2017) Induced cortical responses require developmental sensory experience. Brain 140:3153-3165.
Bio: Andrej Kral was born in Bratislava and studied general medicine (Comenius University, MD 1993, PhD 1998). His first research position was at the Institute of Pathological Physiology, Comenius University (1992 – 1995). During his PhD, in collaboration with the Mathematical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Science (Prof. V. Majernik), he developed computer models of neuronal networks. In 1995, he moved to Germany to focus to cochlear implants and in vivo neurophysiology at the Institute of Sensory Physiology, J.W.Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main (Prof. R. Klinke). There he was appointed associate professor of physiology (“Priv.-Doz.”) in 2002. From 2004 to 2009 he was Professor of Neurophysiology at the University of Hamburg. Since 2009 he has been appointed Chaired Professor of Auditory Neuroscience at the Medical University Hannover and the director of research of the ENT clinics. Andrej Kral heads the Dept. of Experimental Otology and is the scientific director of the Joint Institute of AudioNeuroTechnology. Since 2004 he has been Adjunct Professor of Neuroscience and Cognition at The University of Texas at Dallas, USA and since 2017 an elected member of the German National Academy of Science. A Kral’s research interests include neuroscience of deafness, cochlear implants, auditory development, brain plasticity, cross-modal reorganization and neuroprosthetic brain stimulation. His research has been published, among others, in New England Journal of Medicine, Science, Lancet Neurology, Nature Neuroscience, Trends in Neuroscience, Brain, Journal of Neuroscience and Cerebral Cortex. A. Kral gave more than 150 invited talks at international conferences and research institutions in US and Europe. Together with A.N.Popper and R.R.Fay he edited the volume of the Springer Handbook of Auditory Research on Deafness (vol. 47).
The lab received funding from German Research Society (DFG), Common Scientific Conference Germany, NIH, NSF and DLR, EU, State of Hamburg and State of Lower Saxony and cochlear implant industry.
Lab website: http://www.neuroprostheses.com
Registration: Entry is free and open to the public.
Please register by Thursday 13 September 2018 to louise.dodd@mq.edu.au

Hear For You - film festival
2018-08-27 00:00
An invitation to watch a selection of short films directed, filmed and acted by deaf teenagers.

Date: Monday 10 September
Time: 1.00pm – 1.45pm
Location: Australian Hearing Hub, Level 1, Lecture Theatre
Entry: Gold Coin Donation

Expanding the study of linguistic variation through forced alignment. (CLaS-CCD ...
2018-08-22 00:00

Automatic Speech Segmentation Alignment Workshop - Keeping up to date ...
2018-08-22 00:00

Presentation: Improving patient-provider communication
2018-07-30 00:00
Speaker: Dr Nicholas Reed, AuD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine & Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Date: Monday 6 August
Time: 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Location: Australian Hearing Hub, Level 1, Lecture Theatre
Agenda:
2.00pm – 2.05pm – Welcome
2.05pm – 2.45pm – Presentation
2.45pm – 3.00pm – Q & A
3.00pm – 3.30pm – Networking & Refreshments
Abstract:
How do we improve communication with inpatients to improve patient satisfaction, improve patient treatment adherence, reduce confusion and reduce burden of care on hospital staff? Despite the increasing prevalence of hearing loss in the population, the impact of hearing impairment on patient provider communication is often not fully considered. The Engaging Healthcare to Address Communication Environments (ENHANCE) program aims to overcome barriers to effective communication via simple strategies to identify and intervene on hearing loss as well as universally improve communication in the inpatient setting.
Bio:
Dr Nicholas Reed, AuD, CCC-A is an Instructor of Audiology in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He received his clinical doctorate in audiology (AuD) from Towson University and completed his clinical fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital. He holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech Language Hearing Association. He has clinical experience with diagnostic audiology and amplification management across the lifespan (pediatric to older adults).
Dr. Reed’s research is primarily funded by a National Institutes of Health KL2 Mentored Career Development Award through the Johns Hopkins Clinical Research Scholars Program. He is core faculty at the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. His research focuses on novel hearing care delivery models, over-the-counter amplification devices, the relationship between hearing loss and patient-provider communication, and the relationship between hearing loss and healthcare utilization patterns.
This presentation is hosted by H:EAR | Hearing Education Application Research
Registration: Entry is free and open to the public.
To register or for further details please email sally.piper@mq.edu.au

Hearing Awareness at Macquarie University Open Day
2018-07-09 00:00
Hearing awareness: How to achieve optimum hearing health
Time: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Located: Room 163, 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Avenue
Being able to communicate with others is a fundamental human pursuit. Come and explore the world of hearing by learning about new technology and the best ways to protect your hearing. You’ll also learn about hearing loss prevention and have the opportunity to find out about the Australian Hearing Hub, which is located on campus.
Hearing awareness: Screening test
Time:10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Located: Outside 17 Wally’s Walk
Being able to communicate with others is a fundamental human pursuit. Come and explore the world of hearing by participating in a hearing screening and learn about new technology. You’ll also learn about hearing loss prevention and have the opportunity to find out about the Australian Hearing Hub, which is located on campus.
Tour: Anechoic Chamber, MQ Health Speech and Hearing Clinic and 3D Printing
Time: 10.30 am – 11.00 am, 11.30am – 12.00pm, 12.30pm – 1.00pm
Located: Room 163, 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Avenue
Come and explore the world of hearing by touring our anechoic chamber; a room designed to completely absorb reflections of either sound or electromagnetic waves, and which is used in hearing research at Macquarie. You’ll also visit the MQ Health Speech and Hearing Clinic, and learn about 3D printing; all under the one roof in the Australian Hearing Hub.

Public Lecture - Optimizing early reading interventions for at-risk children ...
2018-06-21 00:00

AHH seminar: Translational hearing research through cochlear gene targeting
2018-06-21 00:00
Presenter: Professor Gary Housley
Date: Tuesday 25 September
Time: 10.00am – 11.30am
Location: Level 1, Lecture Theatre, Australian Hearing Hub
Agenda:
10.00am – 10.05am – Welcome
10.05 am – 10.50am – Presentation
10.50am – 11.00am – Q & A
11.00am – 11.30am – Refreshments
Abstract: Targeting gene expression in the cochlea has revealed new features of the regulation of hearing sensitivity and translational opportunities to protect or rescue hearing loss. Three areas of this research program are: (A) Elucidating the sensory drive for contralateral suppression (where sound in one ear inhibits hearing in the opposite ear). This utilized the peripherin knockout mouse model, where loss of the type III intermediate filament peripherin in the type II spiral ganglion neurons disrupted their selective innervation of the outer hair cells and eliminated the olivocochlear efferent-based contralateral suppression. This informs understanding of hearing in noise. (B) Purinergic hearing adaptation. In the P2rx2 knockout mouse, moderately loud noise failed to reduce hearing sensitivity, whereas wildtype littermates exhibited a loss of hearing that was maintained for many hours. This indicates that a substantial component of reversible noise-induced hearing loss arises from ATP release activating cochlear ATP-gated ion channels. People with a loss of function mutation in this (P2RX2) gene exhibit autosomal dominant progressive hearing loss (DFNA41). (C) BaDGE® – Bionic array Directed Gene Electrotransfer. The spiral ganglion afferent innervation of the cochlear hair cells is supported by neurotrophin expression (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and NT-3). BaDGE® utilising a development of the cochlear implant electrode array has enabled neurotrophin gene augmentation to stimulate spiral ganglion neurite regrowth that closes the neural gap and enhances the neural interface. These programs have been supported by NHMRC and ARC funding.
Bio: Gary Housley is a research Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, where he holds the Chair of Physiology and is Director of the Translational Neuroscience Facility. He has contributed prominently to the understanding of cochlear physiology around noise and age-related hearing loss and molecular neuroscience associated with development, injury, neuroprotection and repair in the nervous system. He has a track record in translational neuroscience with patent filings for drug and devices around neuroprotection and neuro-regenerative medicine applications. He leads a first-in-human DNA therapeutics clinical trial for neurotrophin gene augmentation to enhance cochlear implants, in a multi-centre collaboration with UNSW, Macquarie University, University of Sydney, the Bionics Institute in Melbourne (U. Melbourne), the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre, and industry partner, Cochlear Ltd.
Please register by Tuesday 18 September 2018 to louise.dodd@mq.edu.au

CLaS-CCD Research Colloquium: Language and Vision using Deep Neural Nets ...
2018-05-28 00:00

GP Education Event - Hearing Health
2018-05-24 00:00

Technology and the Mental Health Frontier: Preventing Anxiety, Depression, and ...
2018-04-25 00:00

Audiology Australia National Conference 2018
2018-04-12 00:00

Public Lecture - How grammar creates meaning
2018-04-12 00:00

Language Acquisition Workshop (LAW18)
2018-04-12 00:00
