Computer-Based Virtual Hearing Aid

描述（由申请人提供）：总体目标是开发一种更好的，负担得起的助听器。R24发展资助申请的具体目的是准备一份研究资助申请，为开发和评估这种改良助听器的目标提供手段。为了准备一份可行的拨款提案，有必要证明所提议方法的可行性。计算机模拟将用于开发虚拟助听器（VHA）；也就是说，它存在于计算机软件中，加上一个与实际助听器的输入和输出硬件非常相似（如果不是完全相同的话）的硬件接口。利用计算机模拟可以快速、方便地研制试验性VHA。这个仪器将被用来探索不同的方法来开发一个更好的，负担得起的助听器。这些方法中最有希望的将是准备拨款提案的重点。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall objective is to develop a better, affordable hearing aid. The specific objective of this R24 Developmental Grant application is to prepare a research grant application that will provide the means for pursuing the goal of developing and evaluating this improved hearing aid. In order to prepare a viable grant proposal it is necessary to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed methods. Computer simulation will be used to develop a virtual hearing aid (VHA); i.e., one that exists in the software of a computer plus a hardware interface that is very similar, if not identical, to the input and output hardware of an actual hearing aid. The use of computer simulation will allow for the rapid and convenient development of an experimental VHA. This instrument will be used to explore different approaches to the development of a better, affordable hearing aid. The most promising of these approaches will be the focus of the grant proposal to be prepared. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: More than 36 million Americans have a hearing loss. Hearing loss has a substantial negative impact on quality of life, including significant social, psychological, cognitive and general health problems. This project addresses the problems limiting the effectiveness of hearing aids. The overall goal is to develop a better hearing aid to improve the quality of life of people with hearing loss.