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October 07 at 12:30
UK charity Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) has teamed-up with Advanced Bionics, a global leader in developing cutting-edge cochlear implant technology which can allow deaf people to hear, to jointly fund a PhD studentship at University College London (UCL).
Cochlear implants directly stimulate the auditory nerve allowing people with severe-to-profound hearing loss who are not benefiting from hearing aids to hear speech. Over 11,000 people in the UK use cochlear implants, but the quality of hearing can vary between individuals – particularly when there is a lot of background noise.
Dr Debi Vickers, Principle Investigator at UCL Ear Institute said, “The current one-size fits all approach to programming cochlear implants could be part of the reason why benefit varies between people using implants.
“Our new project aims to determine whether individualized settings will improve the ability of people using implants to understand speech in difficult listening situations, such as when speech is presented at a quiet level and in the presence of noise. If a clearer approach to fitting implants can be found, it will lead to improved NHS guidelines for cochlear implant services in the UK.”
Patrick Boyle, Senior Director of Global Research at Advanced Bionics said, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the UK’s only charity that is dedicated to funding research into hearing loss to support the training of a PhD student in an area of research, which will further improve the quality of life for people who are deaf.”
Dr Ralph Holme Action on Hearing Loss’ Head of Biomedical Research said, “It’s fantastic to be working with Advanced Bionics, investing in the next generation of scientists able to develop ever better cochlear implant technology helping deaf people around the world to live the life they choose.”
Action on Hearing Loss runs the world’s largest donor-supported hearing research programme, dedicated to funding research into better treatments and cures for hearing loss and tinnitus.