Temporal auditory processing

It is well known that speech perception is based on spectral and temporal auditory processing abilities. Temporal processing abilities include the processing of slow temporal fluctuations such as speech envelopes, which are the most important feature for speech intelligibility. Our particular research focus lies on the investigation of such slow amplitude modulations of audio signals, human detection abilities of such modulations, their relationship to speech perception and potential objective neurophysiological measures related to the behavioural detection abilities.

Improvement of future cochlear implant patient care...

...relies heavily on a detailed understanding of human auditory processing abilities. Our work expands on the current knowledge of temporal auditory processing and also provides new insights into the brain's sound processing. We are acquiring brain data by means of electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate objective measures of temporal auditory processing. These objective measures are crucial for future cochlear implant patient care. Currently, patients undergo a lengthy fitting process following cochlear implantation, which is mostly reliant on patient feedback. This subjective process is problematic in implanted infants and patients with cognitive impairments and the need for objective measures to aid the fitting process is obvious. Our research aims to provide objective information on the patient's auditory processing abilities, which will aid in the fitting process and therefore ensure ideal settings for the best possible hearing experience.