Level 1, 16 University Avenue
Macquarie University NSW 2109
Advancing listening technologies
Our researchers explore the neural basis of listening to advance the design and implementation of listening technologies for hearing devices.
Learn more about the projects we are undertaking in this area, and the research teams involved in them.
Predicting and optimising outcomes in cochlear implant users
Funded by: Macquarie University Cochlear Research joint Fund
This project seeks to explore the feasibility of using Functional Near -Infrared Spectroscopy for pre-, intra- and post-operative functional brain mapping activity in cochlear implant candidates and recipients.
Our aim is to develop a simple, non-invasive assay, that can guide expectations and rehabilitation.
- Dr Heivet Hernandez Perez (lead)
- Professor David McAlpine
- Professor Andrej Kral – Chaired Professor of Auditory Neuroscience, Medical University Hanover; Professor of Systems Neuroscience, Macquarie University; Sydney Adjunct Professor of Neuroscience and Cognition, The University of Texas
- Clinical Professor Catherine Birman – Professor, Macquarie Medical School; Medical Director of the cochlear implant program, NextSense
- Dr Amanda Fullerton – Cochlear
- Dr Maryam Hosseini
- Dr Zachary Smith – Director of Algorithms and Applications, Cochlear
- Dr Juan Pablo Faundez
- Dr Joerg Encke
- Dr Robert Luke
Our research partners:
- Cochlear Ltd
Contact: heivet.hernandez-perez@mq.edu.au
Forming and following auditory objects
Funded by: William Demant Foundation
Despite extensive investigations into acoustic features underpinning the perception of auditory objects, neural mechanisms underlying object formation remain poorly understood. This program aims to:
- determine how the auditory brain represents objects from acoustic backgrounds
- investigate how the perception and neural representation of auditory objects varies in listeners with hearing impairment
- consider how altering the precision of foreground cues influences the perception and neural representation of auditory objects
- examine how accurate representation of the statistical structure of background sounds facilitates the formation of auditory objects and improves listening abilities in challenging acoustic environments
- use fNIRS neuroimaging technology to investigate brain mechanisms responsible for the forming and following of auditory objects.
- Professor David McAlpine (lead)
- Dr Joerg Encke
- Dr Robert Luke
- Dr Hamish Innes-Brown – Oticon A/S
Our research partners:
- Oticon
Contact: joerg.encke@mq.edu.au
Listen and Learn – Statistical Learning and the Adapting Auditory Brain
Funded by: Australian Research Council
Learning is critical to survival and occurs over different time-scales – developmental, the life course, moment-by-moment – to facilitate a diverse range of abilities from the acquisition of language, honing of skills and social behaviours, to detection of rapid changes in complex scenes.
This project examines statistical learning and assesses its contribution to the ability to listen and learn in our noisy world.
The overall aim of this project is to explore statistical learning in human listeners, focusing on understanding the role of rapid neural adaptation in learning over the short term, and the maintenance of learning over the longer term.
- Dr Heivet Hernandez Perez (lead)
- Professor David McAlpine
- Professor Paul Sowman
- Dr Jessica Monaghan
- PhD candidate Kurt Shulver
- Dr Jason Mikiel-Hunter
- Professor James Traer – Universoty of Iowa. US
- Dr Nicholas Badcock – Senior Lecturer, the University of Western Australia.
- Divya Mehta – MSc in Aud candidate
Contact: heivet.hernandez-perez@mq.edu.au
Autism and the adapting auditory brain
Funded by: Simons Foundation – SFARI – Grant RFA-873809
The project examines the auditory experiences of autistic people, focusing on how real-world soundscapes affect their everyday lives. We are investigating experiences of speech and phonemes in different acoustic environments, and how autistic people adapt to and process auditory textures.
By understanding autistic people's attributes, auditory perceptions and experiences, this project aims to:
- determine relationships between autistic traits, auditory experience and diagnosable auditory conditions in autistic people
- identify barriers from the acoustic environment in everyday life to desired participation for autistic people in the community
- learn how we can better support autistic people with strategies and technologies to facilitate accessibility and desired opportunities in daily life.
- Dr Bec Poulsen (lead)
- Professor David McAlpine
- Professor Paul Sowman
- Professor Elizabeth Pellicano – UCL
Our research partners:
- Autism MQ
Contact: If you are autistic and would like to be involved either as a research participant or as a community member for coproduction of our work, please contact bec.poulsen@mq.edu.au.
Brain connectivity in hearing loss
Funded by: German Science Foundation (DFG), European Union, CI industry
Our research is focused on 'nature and nurture' in brain development – on consequences of altered sensory experience on development with particular focus on deafness.
We study methods of its compensation by neuroprostheses and the plastic adaptation of the brain to the neuroprosthetic stimulation.
So far, the cochlear implant has been the clinically most successful neuroprosthetic device. We work on its further improvements and search for alternative ways of the stimulation of neurons in general, including stimulation within the central auditory system and the brain.
- Professor Andrej Kral - see outputs
Our research partner:
Contact: andrej.kral@mq.edu.au