Martin Kompis
Martin Kompis is professor at the University of Bern, Switzerland, and head of audiology at the ENT-Departement of the Inselspital (university hospital) in Bern. He has received his Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich in 1993, and his Medical degree (M.D.) from the University in Zurich in 1995. After a post-doc at Purdue University, Indiana (U.S.A.) he has become head of audiology at the department of otolaryngology at the University Hospital of Bern, where he has been working since 1997. He has published more than 100 scientific peer-reviewed papers and several books, including a standard text book on audiology in German and Italian.
Sessions
Audiological aspects of Auditory implants: Current status and developments
Objective
This instructional course offers an easy way to arrive at an intuitive, yet scientifically correct understanding of otoacoustic emissions (OAE). It is well suited for professionals who want to have a basic understanding of OAE. No prior knowledge or experience is required.
Background
OAE are acoustical signals generated within the inner ear. Today, more than four decades after their first description, they are widely used diagnostic tool in audiology.
Methods
The anatomical, physiological and physical basis of OAE will be discussed. The principle and the diagnostic value of two most frequently used measurement methods (transiently evoked OAE or TEOAE and distorsion product OAE or DPOAE) will be shown.
Special feature
During this course, you will have the opportunity to try to listen to your own otoacoustic emissions. A word of caution though: unfortunately, as the levels of OAEs are very low, often only about 2/3 of the listeners are able to hear them.
Results
At the end of this course, you will know how, where and when OAE are generated. You will know the difference between TEOAE and DPOAE and have an understanding of their respective diagnostic values. With a little bit of luck, you will have head your own OAEs.
Status and development of equipment (Innovation and AI) for Auditory implants; software and connectivity equipment
Description and Background
We live in an acoustically complex world, and our capacity to detect, perceive, monitor and identify salient sounds from the continuously changing acoustic environment is crucial to our wellbeing and survival. Multiple strands of research indicate that auditory function shapes brain function across the life span and that it is reciprocally connected with language and cognitive function. The responsible mechanisms for this interconnectedness and to what extent these are affected by a range of factors in different stages of life are still investigated.
The aim of this lecture is to introduce this complex topic by discussing how auditory sensory experience may affects the brain circuitry and language and cognitive skills across the life span. Three showcases will be discussed: effects of early life hearing loss on auditory processing and cognition; the relationship between hearing sensitivity, auditory processing and cognitive skills in normal hearing adults who complain of poor speech perception in noise; the relationship between age related hearing loss with auditory processing and dementia.
Outcome Objectives
- Discuss what is known about the interactions between auditory function and cognition across the life span and provide a framework to understand the hearing and cognition interconnectedness
- Discuss the negative effects of altered auditory experience on the individual to highlight the need for investigation and rehabilitation
- Raise awareness of the need to characterise hearing ability with tests beyond audiometry and understand test limitations