Audiometry - Design and analysis of signal processing procedures for objective audiometry in newborns.

From 01-01-2004 to 31-12-2007

Description

Since 1998, the hearing of 96.5% of all newborns in Flanders is tested by Kind & Gezin. Children with hearing problems have to be supported by hearing aids as soon as possible. For the fitting of a hearing aid and for general diagnostic purposes, it is necessary to quantify the hearing thresholds of these children in an objective way. The ultimate goal of the field of objective audiometry, using an electrofysiologic measuring technique, is the generation of an accurate audiogram in a frequency specific way. A couple of years ago, research has been started on several techniques using 'Auditory Steady State Responses' (ASSR) to execute objective and frequency specific threshold measurements. Unfortunately, the present setup, based on this technique of ASSR, is not yet clinically applicable due to the measurement time which is too long. Because of this, anaesthesia is often needed which can be harmful for the young patient. The purpose of the study is to investigate the possibilities to shorten the measurement time using different techniques out of the domain of signal processing.

Team

• Marc Moonen, Co-promoter
• Bram Van Dun, Team member

Financing

Funding: FWO - Research Foundation - Flanders

Program/Grant Type: FWO Research Grant - FWO Research Grant