Auditory Processing and Neuroprostheses - Coordinator: Werner Hemmert

We use dynamic clamp (A2) and iso-response techniques (A3) to study auditory coding (B2). In parallel, projects A3 and B4 inves tigate visual influences on auditory processing. Using results from B3 on auditory performance in reverberant environments (e.g., in rooms) and the research by the new Professor for Audio-Signal Processing (PC), these projects will improve techniques for directly stimulating the auditory nerve (C1) and the design of coding strategies (C2) for cochlear implants and help elucidate age-related changes in spatial hearing. Thus, advances in the development of methods and scientific integration will be applied to understand biological mechanisms, which in turn support clinical investigations and technological innovations to be spearheaded by our industry partner MED-EL.

Overview of relevant projects

A2: Dissecting the role of ionic currents in object localization using an advanced dynamic-clamp system (J. Benda, W. Hemmert & H.R. Polder)

A3: New methods to study visual influences on auditory processing (B. Grothe, A. Herz, C. Leibold & H. Luksch)

B2: Coding of spatial and temporal information in a population of specialized auditory interneurons (A. Herz & J. Benda)

B3: Auditory invariance against space-induced reverberation (L. Wiegrebe, B. Grothe & C. Leibold)

B4: Multisensory object representation and integration in space-time (H. Luksch & L. van Hemmen)

B-T2: Learning the reflection characteristics of rooms (B.U. Seeber & M. Kleinsteuber)

B-T3: Proprioceptive stabilization of the auditory world (P. MacNeilage, U. Firzlaff & L. Wiegrebe)

C1: Direct approach to study temporal processing in the auditory system: electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve in cochlear implant patients (W. Hemmert, L. Wiegrebe & B.U. Seeber)

C2: Novel coding strategies for cochlear implants: from fine time structures to sparse neural representations (I. Hochmair, L. Wiegrebe, W. Hemmert & B.U. Seeber)

C5: Auditory scene analysis with normal hearing and cochlear implants (Bernhard Seeber & Werner Hemmert)