German-Russian statistical audiology: Data conditioning and audiological profile analysis for the diagnosis and compensation of hearing impairment” (GRUSTAD)

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Even though hearing impairment is the most common sensory disease with a massive negative impact on approximately 18% of our population, the diagnostics and rehabilitation approaches with hearing devices are still limited, e.g., the restoration of normal speech perception in everyday noisy conditions is still incomplete – primarily because of the scattered empirical knowledge about the reduced speech perception and the limited individual benefit from a hearing device without a systematic data analysis approach. The current project addresses this problem in a statistical, machine-learning-guided way that combines basic science, statistical analysis, and clinical audiology independent from the test language employed: By building up an exchangeable, easily accessible, and expandable database of audiological diagnostic measures and specialized, language-independent tests applied to a clinical population, we will analyze the causes and consequences of hearing impairment in a precise and individualized manner. Statistical and machine-learning methods will be used to identify a minimum set of measures needed for the diagnosis of a given hearing disorder with high certainty. This should lead to statistically motivated auditory profiles which will be linked to individualized treatment recommendations and fitting of hearing devices that are verified using an idealized, laboratory-based “open master hearing aid” (Grimm et al., 2006) in comparison to the benefit provided by the patient´s own device. Hence, using only a few specific audiological tests in fitting and assessing the benefit from hearing devices, a more comprehensive and theory-grounded way of hearing rehabilitation will be reached, thus increasing the efficiency and acceptance of hearing devices. Generally, this statistical audiology approach will lead to a precise and efficient diagnostics and an optimized prescription and fitting of modern hearing devices. The specific interaction between a biomedical data science center (connected to an academic clinical research hospital) in Russia and a basic science-driven Cluster of Excellence in Germany has the great potential to establish the field of statistical audiology. The comparability of speech tests in the Russian and German language (which is based on the already existing collaboration between St. Petersburg and Oldenburg) and the joint development and application of advanced procedures in rehabilitative audiology will strengthen the links across Germany and Russia in the practically relevant field of speech communication.