Projects
Study on the neural substrate of speech development using fMRI in the zebra finch model. University of Antwerp
Development of a unified speech processing strategy for combined electric and acoustic auditory stimulation. KU Leuven
The development of a Dutch protocol for perceptual speech analysis and quality of life measurements in cleft palate patients. Ghent University
A protocol for perceptual speech analysis in cleft palate patients will be developed. This protocol is based on the CAPS-A protocol (John et al., 2006). Also a questionnaire concerning quality of life in these patients will be developed. The translation guidelines of Varni (2003) will be used. For both instruments the validity and reliability will be extensively tested.
Development of total conservation at the workfloor by modeling, verification and implemantation of active custom-made hearing protectors for continuous monitoring of exposure levels and augmented speech perception in noise. Ghent University
The project aims tto decrease the risk at noise-induced hearing loss from occupational noise exposure bij implementing total hearing conservatiion. On the one hand, exposure will be monitored closly via continuous registration of sound pressure levels under the protector and regular assessùent of oto-acoustic emissions. On the onter hand, verbal communication will be facilitate by improved signal transmission and processing.
Child-directed speech and language development: hearing children of different SES backgrounds and deaf children with a cochlear implant. University of Antwerp
Effectiveness of speech therapy approach and intensity on the speech and quality of life in children with cleft palate speech characteristics. Ghent University
The development of intelligible speech is one of the main objectives in the management of
children who were born with a cleft (lip and) palate. Despite the advances in surgical treatment of
congenital orofacial clefts, specific cleft-related speech disorders often persist, even after the
palate is closed. However, based on current literature, no evidence is yet available to support any
specific model of speech therapy ...
Decoding speech from the brain using deep neural networks KU Leuven
A growing number of hearing-impaired people benefit from a hearing
aid. Due to the current labour-intensive behavioural diagnostics of
the auditory system, hearing aids are not sufficiently adapted to
individual users, as only a limited number of tests can be conducted
per patient.
To address this, we will develop a new measure of brain activity that
will allow automatic and fine-grained ...
Objective measurement of speech intelligibility with a cochlear implant KU Leuven
A growing number of people with profound hearing loss benefit these days from a cochlear implant (CI). It allows them to (re)gain access to sound through electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve. Today, the benefit of a CI is evaluated by asking the CI user to recall words or sentences, which is not always optimal. The required active participation of the listener can make these measurements challenging or even impossible, e.g., in young ...
Objective and automatic measurement of speech intelligibility KU Leuven
Hearing impairment is considered the most prevalent impairment in the world. Methods to diagnose hearing loss are used for screening, diagnostics and evaluation during rehabilitation with auditory prostheses. We can distinguish between behavioural and objective diagnostic methods. With behavioural methods, active participation of the patient is required, which leads to confounded results, or makes it entirely impossible to test some patients. ...