Research areas

Overview

The German Institute of Hearing Aids (DHI) conducts research in the areas of measurement technology for hearing devices, acoustics, psychoacoustics and audiology. Besides self-driven research, we are a reliable partner for various research collaborations. This can include contracted research, joint grant proposals or the integration into a research grant as a subcontractor. Within all our research activities, we assure the the neutrality of the DHI remains intact.

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Test procedures

Hearing aid features

We develop technical procedures for the verification and evaluation of hearing aid features. As an example, the norm IEC 60118-16 published 2022 is largely based on years of research performed in the DHI. Also, we routinely perform listening tests with subjects on the perceptual effects of hearing aid features.

Hearing aid acoustics

Acoustic coupling of hearing devices

We examine how the coupling of hearing devices to the ear, e.g., by earmolds or eartips, affects their performance or other factors. A special focus is the occlusion effect and the perception of the own voice.

Studies with subjects

Psychoacoustics with hearing aids

We study the effect of wearing hearing devices on perception. Besides the compensation of hearing loss and benefit of hearing aid features, we are interested in other undesired effects and their origin. One example is the negative effect that wearing "transparent" hearing devices has in normal-hearing users.

Speech and hearing

Audiology

We work on the improvement and standardization of audiological diagnostic procedures. A special focus are speech intelligibility tests. For example, reference curves for the Freiburg monosyllabic speech test in noise are determined at the DHI. Further, we work on extension of the word material for this test procedure.

Beyond acoustic drivers

Novel hearing aid transduction principles

Together with collaborators, we work on novel transduction principles and appropriate measurement technology for hearing aids that may replace and improve air conduction hearing aids. An example is the development of a novel vibro-acoustic coupler for eardrum contact transducers.

Cooperations

 

 

We collaborate closely with all hearing research institutions in Lübeck, as well as other national and international partners.

University of Lübeck: Auditory Cognition; Institute of Signal Processing

Technische Hochschule Lübeck: Institut für angewandte Naturwissenschaften

University Hostpital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Clinic of Oto-Laryngology

Medical Laser Center, Lübeck

Jade University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg

University of Southern Denmark, Research Unit of Oto-Laryngology

Vibrosonic GmbH, Mannheim

Bat&Cat Sound Labs, Palo Alto, USA