Engineering: Hearing 'dummy' project receives £447,000 grant

University of Essex researchers win grant to explore causes of deafness.

The Department of Psychology team, led by Professor Ray Meddis, was awarded the grant by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Funding Council.
 
According to Professor Meddis: "The project allows us to make more extensive measurements of peoples’ hearing to get a more detailed understanding of what is wrong when people are not hearing well.
 
"Then we will have a better idea of what remedies can be applied, and improved diagnosis will help audiologists take better advantage of recent technological developments." 

Model replacement for patients

The 'dummy' will consist of a computer programme that can simulate hearing ability and disability. The machine can take the place of the aurally impaired during testing to ensure that an accurate aid can be created. Currently, patients are needed to return for adjustments until it works satisfactorily.
 
Professor Meddis, who has been studying the mechanics of hearing for 20 years, has already created an accurate computer model of healthy hearing. The new research will enable him to adapt the model for the hard of hearing.
 
The team are now looking for volunteers with hearing difficulties to help them in their research.
 

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