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.
Understanding how people seek, interpret, and act on hearing health information online — and how this shapes help-seeking, device uptake, and long-term outcomes.
Developing and validating smartphone-based and remote tools for hearing and balance screening — from automated audiometry to in-situ hearing aid fitting.
Internet- and mHealth-based interventions for hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders — improving outcomes through structured self-management at scale.
Applying natural language processing and qualitative methods to understand real-world hearing aid experiences, satisfaction drivers, and barriers to consistent use.
Evaluating the efficacy, safety, and service delivery implications of OTC hearing aids and self-fitting strategies in real-world and clinical populations.
Building the evidence base for digital community hearing care models, with a focus on equitable access in low- and middle-income settings globally.