Science in the City lecture offers hope for better hearing
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/bruce2cropped.jpg” caption=”Ian Bruce”]Beethoven. Van Gogh. Barbara Streisand, Neil Young and U2's Bono. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy (Captain Kirk and Spock).
What do these famous people have in common? It's been said that they all suffered or currently suffer from tinnitus a phantom ringing or hissing in the ears.
Ian Bruce, assistant professor, department of electrical and computer engineering and an associate member of the department of psychology, takes an engineering approach to hearing loss and tinnitus - conducting research leading to the development of better hearing aids as well as exploring solutions to the problem of tinnitus.
It's been estimated that more than 10 per cent of Canadians suffer from some form of hearing loss and up to 15 per cent experience tinnitus - a condition that can be chronic and debilitating - speculated to be the reason Van Gogh chopped off his ear.
For his Science in the City lecture, Hope for better hearing? Engineering approaches to studying and treating hearing loss and tinnitus, Bruce will discuss the various studies he has conducted and his collaborative research currently under way here at McMaster University.
Professor Bruce develops computer models of how the ear and brain process sound and tries to determine why the imperfect ear distorts or loses sound. His computer simulations then lead to improved hearing aid schemes (designs), whereby the hearing aid not only amplifies sound, but also preprocesses it to make sure that the important information is getting through to the user.
Bruce's lecture will also explore his current research on tinnitus as a project member of the CIHR NET Tinnitus Research Group , a five-year multi-site research mission to understand, treat and prevent tinnitus. He will also discuss the latest developments in cochlear implants and look at the potential to use gene therapy to “cure” hearing loss. Bruce estimates that in 10 to 20 years the prospects are good for developing a drug that can regrow the damaged nerve cells needed for hearing activities.
Here at McMaster, Bruce collaborates with signal processing expert and University Professor, Simon Haykin (Electrical & Computer Engineering), as well as professors Laurel Trainor, Larry Roberts and Sue Becker of the department of psychology.
Bruce's Science in the City lecture takes place today (Nov. 2) at the Hamilton Spectator Auditorium, 44 Frid Street in Hamilton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the talk begins at 7 p.m. The lecture is free and all are welcome. Reserve your seat by e-mailing sciencecity@mcmaster.ca
