This volume will serve as the first Handbook of its kind in the area of
hearing aid research, often the least-defined, least-understood, part of
the multi-disciplinary research process. Most scientific training is
very advanced within the particular disciplines but provides little
opportunity for systematic introduction to the issues and obstacles that
prevent effective hearing-aid related research. This area has emerged as
one of critical importance, as signified by a single specialized meeting
(the International Hearing Aid Conference, IHCON) that brings together
specialists from the disparate disciplines involved, including both
university and industry researchers. Identification of the key steps
that enable high-impact basic science to ultimately result in
significant clinical advances that improve patient outcome is critical.
This volume will provide an overview of current key issues in hearing
aid research from the perspective of many different disciplines, not
only from the perspective of the key funding agencies, but also from the
scientists and clinicians who are currently involved in hearing aid
research. It will offer insight into the experience, current technology
and future technology that can help improve hearing aids, as scientists
and clinicians typically have little or no formal training over the
whole range of the individual disciplines that are relevant. The
selection and coverage of topics insures that it will have lasting
impact, well beyond immediate, short-term, or parochial concerns.
