Research

What we study

Six themes, one mission

The Virtual Hearing Lab conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of audiology, digital health, and consumer informatics. Our six research themes are united by a single aim: improving hearing health access, affordability, and outcomes worldwide.

01 · Active

Online health information

Understanding how people seek, interpret, and act on hearing health information online — and how this shapes help-seeking, device uptake, and long-term outcomes.

02 · Active

Digital hearing assessment

Developing and validating smartphone-based and remote tools for hearing and balance screening — from automated audiometry to in-situ hearing aid fitting.

03 · Active

Digital therapeutics

Internet- and mHealth-based interventions for hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders — improving outcomes through structured self-management at scale.

04 · Active

Consumer perspectives

Applying natural language processing and qualitative methods to understand real-world hearing aid experiences, satisfaction drivers, and barriers to consistent use.

05 · Active

Direct-to-consumer devices

Evaluating the efficacy, safety, and service delivery implications of OTC hearing aids and self-fitting strategies in real-world and clinical populations.

06 · Active

Community-based rehabilitation

Building the evidence base for digital community hearing care models, with a focus on equitable access in low- and middle-income settings globally.