Hearing Sciences Research

Unit Code

00267

Department/Institution Offering Unit

Department of Otolaryngology
University of Melbourne
172 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne
Victoria 3002 Australia

web: www.medoto.unimelb.edu.au/

Unit Points

Research Points: 87.5

Coursework Points: 12.5

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Dr Bryony Nayagam
Department of Otolaryngology
University of Melbourne
2nd Floor, 32 Gisborne St
East Melbourne
Victoria 3002 Australia

tel: +61 3 9929 8384
email:bcoleman@unimelb.edu.au

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Overall Objectives

The Department of Otolaryngology is placed at the forefront of research to alleviate the effects of deafness. A main focus of research is the cochlear implant. This course is designed to introduce the student to this multi-disciplinary research field. The objectives of the course are to encourage the student to gain detailed background knowledge of the basic hearing sciences including electrophysiology, neurobiology, molecular biology and tissue culture techniques, the skills necessary to carry out scientific research (that is, laboratory research methodology and data analysis techniques), and the ability to critically review scientific papers to gain information relevant to a particular topic. The student will also gain experience in written and oral communication of literature reviews and research results.

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Content

Coursework:Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

Research: The research projects will be in the area of the hearing sciences. Since this is a multidisciplinary field, the potential projects will cover a wide variety of topics, including physiology, neuroanatomy, psychophysics, and speech and hearing sciences. The actual projects will depend on the availability of suitable supervisors and the background ability and interests of the student.

Sample Research Topics:

1. Improving the nerve-electrode interface of the cochlear implant using nanotechnology
   Supervisor: Dr David Nayagam
2. Characterisation of the response of the rat auditory cortex to intra-cochlear electrical stimulation
   Supervisor: Dr James Fallon
3. Chronic Recording in the Freely Behaving Animal
   Supervisor: Dr James Fallon
4. A healthy start to life: preventing congenital deafness due to protease mutations with timely thyroid hormone supplementation
   Supervisor: Dr Justin Tan
5. Gene transfer technology for maintaining and regenerating auditory nerves after hearing loss
   Supervisor: Dr Rachael Richardson
6. Virtual Reality Surgery
   Supervisor: Professor Stephen O'Leary
7. Preventing hearing loss during surgery to the ear
   Supervisor: Professor Stephen O'Leary
8. Repairing the auditory system with cochlear implantation and drug delivery
   Supervisor: Dr Andrew Wise
9. Improving speech perception by users of cochlear implants
   Supervisor: Professor Richard Dowell
10. The effect of early auditory deprivation on musical enjoyment and the development of musical skills in children with cochlear implants
    Supervisor: Dr Julia Sarant
11. The effect of stimulation rate on T- and C- Levels
    Supervisor: Dr Julia Sarant
12. Modelling the auditory nerve response to cochlear implant stimulation: improving speech processors.
    Supervisors: Dr David Sly and Professor Stephen O'Leary
13. The effects of trophic agents on the auditory nervous system
    Supervisor: Dr David Sly
    

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 87.5 points
Research Report (up to 9,000 words): 80%
Two oral presentations; The first of these will be in Semester 6, in which the student will present a critical literature review of the topic of their research project, as well as a methodological description and rationale for their research project. The second will be in Semester 7, in which the student will present the results of their experimental project, and a critical discussion of the findings: 20%

Coursework Component: 12.5 points
Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics will be assessed as per subject description.

The students will also be required to attend the weekly departmental seminars, and will be encouraged to attend any lectures given in the department on topics relevant to their research.

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Student Numbers

Number of places available:
4