Dear List, An international full-time PhD stipend on “Spatial release from masking in hearing impaired listeners with hearing aids“ is available at the National Acoustic Laboratories, Australian Hearing, Sydney. Further details can be found below Best Jorg ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jorg M. Buchholz, PhD Senior Lecturer / CORE researcher National Acoustic Laboratories, Australian Hearing Australian Hearing Hub 16 University Avenue Macquarie University NSW 2109 Australia Tel: +61 2 9412 6909 Email: jorg.buchholz@xxxxxxxxxx Project title: Spatial release from masking in hearing impaired listeners with hearing aids Abstract: Speech intelligibility improves when target and distracting speech arrives from different directions; an auditory phenomenon called spatial release from masking (SRM). SRM measured in speech tests like the Listening into Spatialized Noise (LiSN-S) is typically reduced in hearing impaired (HI) listeners. Recent research suggests that this reduction in SRM can be largely explained by reduced audibility – the listeners are simply not able to hear the speech features relevant for SRM. Increased amplification in hearing aids may improve SRM, but at the same time will result in uncomfortably loud sounds. This Ph.D. project will be concerned with:
The project will involve 3D sound reproduction techniques such as higher-order Ambisonics as well as real-time hearing aid signal processing methods. The ideal candidate will either be an Engineer with an interest in hearing or someone with a background in a hearing or speech related field who is interested in advanced technologies. The PhD student will be located and supervised at the National Acoustic Laboratories, Australian Hearing Hub, Macquarie University, and will be part of a group of PhD students. Audiological and engineering support will be available to complement the skills of the successful candidate. Initial inquiries should be directed to Jorg Buchholz at Jorg.buchholz@xxxxxxxxx, or Phone +61 2 9850 6909. The 2013 MQRES full-time stipend rate is $24,653 pa tax exempt for 3.5 years. Additional top-up funding might be available. More details can be found on: http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_about/scholarships/hdr_scholarships_domestic_and_international |