HEARING AIDS

1. Introduction to Hearing Aids
2. Epidemiology of Hearing Impairment
3. Hearing Aid Transducers
4. Hearing Aid Signal Processing
5. Wireless Technologies and Hearing Aid Connectivity
6. Speech Perception and Hearing Aids
7. Spatial Hearing and Hearing Aids
8. Music Perception and Hearing Aids
9. Clinical Verification of Hearing Aid Performance
10. Hearing Aid Validation
11. Future Directions for Hearing Aid Development

This volume will serve as the first Handbook of its kind in the area of hearing aid research, often the least-defined, least-understood, part of the multi-disciplinary research process. Most scientific training is very advanced within the particular disciplines but provides little opportunity for systematic introduction to the issues and obstacles that prevent effective hearing-aid related research. This area has emerged as one of critical importance, as signified by a single specialized meeting (the International Hearing Aid Conference, IHCON) that brings together specialists from the disparate disciplines involved, including both university and industry researchers. Identification of the key steps that enable high-impact basic science to ultimately result in significant clinical advances that improve patient outcome is critical. This volume will provide an overview of current key issues in hearing aid research from the perspective of many different disciplines, not only from the perspective of the key funding agencies, but also from the scientists and clinicians who are currently involved in hearing aid research. It will offer insight into the experience, current technology and future technology that can help improve hearing aids, as scientists and clinicians typically have little or no formal training over the whole range of the individual disciplines that are relevant. The selection and coverage of topics insures that it will have lasting impact, well beyond immediate, short-term, or parochial concerns.

Features
• Provides a comprehensive overview of the entire field of hearing aid research
• Emphasizes basic and translational research in hearing-aid related work from all disciplines
• Appropriate for a broad, interdisciplinary readership