Current Research Projects

Hearing Assessment


The assessment of hearing underpins much of the work of NAL. The characteristics of hearing loss must be well understood so that appropriate rehabilitation devices can be designed. Hearing aid fitting procedures are most commonly based on the degree and type of loss. Prevention of hearing loss is most effectively carried out if damage to the cochlea can be detected at the earliest stage of deterioration.


Current projects concerned with hearing assessment include:

  • Auditory working memory and processing speed test (A-WOMPS)
    The aim of the project is firstly to design, develop and validate the A-WOMPS software. Secondly, the study aims to determine whether scores on the working memory and/or processing speed subtests of the A-WOMPS are related to academic ability in Australian primary school children. If so, it is anticipated that the A-WOMPS can be used to identify children who may be at risk for academic under-achievement due to auditory processing deficits.
  • Cortical evaluation of implant performance
    Assess and avoid the occurrence of stimulus artefacts emitted by cochlear implants during EEG measurements of cortical responses. The project is specifically driven by the need for the applicability of HEARLab to CI subjects. The acquired knowledge can be generalised for use with any EEG recording setup. Read More >
  • LISN & Learn
    Aims to devise a remediation strategy to overcome central auditory processing disorders arising from reduced ability to spatialise sounds that come from different directions. Read More >
  • LiSN & Learn Phase II clinical trial
    To conduct a second clinical trial to evaluate the ability of the LiSN & Learn auditory training software to remediate spatial stream segregation disorder, or "spatial hearing loss" (SHL) in children.
  • LiSN-S hearing impairment study
    To determine the prevalence and cause of spatial processing disorder (SPD) in the hearing impaired population and to assess whether SPD can be effectively remediated within this population. The Listening in Spatialized Noise - Sentences test (LiSN-S) will be used to assess SPD and the LiSN & Learn will be used for remediation.
  • LiSN screening test CAPD
    To develop an abridged version of LiSN-S as a screening test which will take no more than minutes to complete. It will be suitable for delivery via the internet.
  • Rapid electrophysiological assessment
    Fundamental research with the objective of speeding up cortical recordings through increased stimulus rates or the use of interleaved stimuli. Read More >