Springer Hearing Aids: 56 (Springer Handbook of Auditory Research, 56)

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.   From the Back Cover "Hearing Aids" provides an overview of current key issues in hearing aid research from the perspective of many different disciplines, including the key funding agencies, those who dispense and fit hearing aids, and the scientists and clinicians who are involved in hearing aid research. . Introduction to Hearing Aids by Brian C. J. Moore and Gerald R. Popelka. Epidemiology of Hearing Impairment by Gary Curhan and Sharon Curhan . Hearing Aid Transducers by Mead C. Killion, Aart Van Halteren, Stefan Stenfelt, and Daniel M. Warren . Hearing Aid Signal Processing by Stefan Launer, Justin A. Zakis, and Brian C. J. Moore . Wireless Technologies and Hearing Instrument Connectivity by Jill Mecklenburger and Torben Groth . Speech Perception and Hearing Aids by Pamela Souza . Spatial Hearing and Hearing Aids by Michael A. Akeroyd and William M. Whitmer. Music Perception and Hearing Aids by Justin A. Zakis . Hearing Aid Verification by Kevin J. Munro and H. Gustav Mueller. Hearing Aid Validation by William M. Whitmer, Kay F. Wright-Whyte, Jack A. Holman, and Michael A. Akeroyd . Future Directions for Hearing Aid Development by Gerald R. Popelka and Brian C. J. Moore "