PhD stipends on minimizing listening effort using brain feedback

At Aalborg University two fully funded PhD stipends are now available on the project “Effortless Hearing in Noise by Brain Feedback”. 

One of the most common complaints among hearing aids users is the mental fatigue they undergo after relatively short conversations in noisy situations due to increased levels of listening effort. The overall goal of this research project is to develop a new concept of hearing assistive devices that continuously monitor the brain activity, and adapts the signal processing in the hearing assistive devices in order to minimize the listening effort. The project combines signal processing and auditory neuroscience and include theoretical and experimental research:

• Signal processing algorithms for extracting correlates of listening effort from electroencephalography (EEG).
• Research involving aspects of neuroscience that relates to the functional connectivity of the brain in response to natural speech.
• Acoustically controlled experiments with portable EEG devices in anechoic chambers where real-life acoustic environments can be simulated using arrays of loudspeakers.
• Speech enhancement algorithms that minimize the listening effort.

The project is fully funded by The Independent Research Fund Denmark under the project entitled “Effortless Hearing in Noise by Brain Feedback”. 

The project is a collaboration between the Department of Electronic Systems and the Department of Health, Science and Technology, at Aalborg University, and there will be collaboration with international universities and industry. 

To apply for the positions, please use the following links:
• PhD 1: Acoustic Signal Processing for Minimizing Listening Effort Using Brain Feedback (https://www.vacancies.aau.dk/show-vacancy/?vacancy=1065107)

• PhD 2: Cortical Characterization of Listening Effort (https://www.vacancies.aau.dk/show-vacancy/?vacancy=1065182)

You may obtain further information from Professor (MSO) Jan Østergaard, Department of Electronic Systems, phone: +45 99408693, email: jo@es.aau.dk, or Professor Ole Kæseler Andersen, Department of Health Science and Technology, phone: +45 9940 8816, email: oka@hst.aau.dk concerning the scientific aspects of the stipend. 

Aalborg University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.