Our research projects

Innovating and transforming hearing health for all

Our ground-breaking research and innovations contribute to the development of new technologies, therapies, interventions, policies and practices. We aim to promote healthy communication, wellbeing and social connectedness.

The Hearing Research Centre is the multidisciplinary discovery vehicle that brings together researchers and experts in:

Our research is structured in eight research programs:

The listening brain

Led by Distinguished Professor David McAlpine, this program aims to develop a deep understanding of how humans interact with their world through sound and the sense of hearing.

Our researchers explore the neural basis of listening to advance the design and implementation of listening technologies for hearing devices. To comprehend the intricacies of the listening brain we employ a wide range of techniques and approaches including:

• in vivo experimental data
• brain imaging
• modelling.

Realistic assessment

Led by Associate Professor Jorg Buchholz, the team’s vision is to solve the challenge of communicating in complex, noisy environments for individuals with listening difficulties.

The program aims to understand and predict real-world communication to enhance hearing outcomes and develop devices suitable for complex environments. This is achieved by:

• reproducing real-world scenarios in laboratory and clinical environments
• creating novel assessments
• innovating technologies.

Vestibular

Led by Dr Christopher Pastras, the program aims to develop a deep understanding of the inner ear balance (vestibular) system, which is often impaired alongside its sibling sensory organ, the cochlea.

Experiments aim to provide a holistic understanding of peripheral and central balance function, and its relation to hearing and associated disorders. Outcomes are expected to advance knowledge in early detection, preventive strategies, and treatment to alleviate inner ear conditions.

These experiments will utilise:

• in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology
• biomechanics and modelling
• innovative technologies and devices.

Better language and communication for children with hearing loss

This program of research aims to understand communication breakdowns by identifying the locus of linguistic challenge to help inform practice.

This is achieved by using a range of psycholinguistic approaches including:

• bespoke comprehension assessments using eye-tracking
• speech analysis technology
• cognitive and executive functioning
• norm-referenced assessments.

Population and health

Led by Macquarie University Cochlear Chair in Hearing and Health, Professor Bamini Gopinath, the research team aims to bring a public health lens to hearing research in order to better understand how hearing problems affect health and social outcomes.

We work to identify and implement viable, evidence-based solutions that will address the impacts of adult-onset hearing loss and the low uptake of hearing services and interventions, translating into healthy ageing.

A major area of focus for the next five years is to provide evidence to resolve the clinical and scientific uncertainty for the treatment and management of adult-onset hearing loss. This goal will be achieved through key initiatives, such as:

• a national database on hearing loss
• a national digital portal on hearing loss.

Translational research

Led by Dr Diana Tang and Professor Bamini Gopinath, this program focuses on collaboration with key stakeholders – including consumers and consumer organisations – to deliver supports that enable adults with hearing loss to optimally participate in their communities and maintain their independence and quality of life.

This program is underpinned by the principles of co-design where we combine lived experience and professional expertise to development interventions that are acceptable, feasible and scalable.

Aboriginal children’s hearing health

Led by Professor Catherine McMahon, this program uses a multidisciplinary and community-engaged approach, to solve major hearing health problems that translate into measurable and impactful change.

The aim of the program is to reduce avoidable deafness for Aboriginal children by improving early detection and ensuring access to person-centred and family-centred care.

EMCR Grassroots Network

Our mission is to foster collaborative research and innovation among early-to-mid-career researchers within the Macquarie University Hearing Grassroots Network. We aim to:

• create a dynamic platform that promotes knowledge exchanges, interdisciplinary collaboration, and impactful discoveries in hearing health and communication sciences
• advance scientific understanding, develop innovative solutions, and improve the lives of individuals affected by hearing and auditory processing difficulties in Australia and beyond.

Our growing network currently includes members from across the University, with initiatives including:

• the launch of our Macquarie University Hearing Research Centre EMCR Grant Support Scheme 2023
• support of students to attend the Acoustics 2023 Society conference
• the Larry Marlow Leadership workshop, scheduled for 2024.

See more information about our Co-Chair members.

Contact us to get involved: grassrootsnetwork@mq.edu.au