NIHRDataInsights/HRCSData huggingface dataset:
Title: Touch Post-Covid19: Navigating through deafblindness in the UK via contactless haptic-audio-visual technologies of perception.
Funder: Arts and Humanities Research Council

Abstract: This is a public-facing investigation into the impact of touch deprivation on deafblind communities. Building on an existing interdisciplinary research project (Film and Television, and Quantum Physics) at the University of Glasgow, it examines sense perception through the means of audio- visual impairment and investigates how technologies of perception may augment the sensory experience of deafblind people. Covid19 has acutely heightened our awareness of and restrained us from using the sense of touch. Touching is now threatening lives, but it still remains a vital connection to the world and others. For deafblind communities, who rely on haptic experiences to navigate the world, the fear of touch and intimacy in post-Covid society is likely to impose new challenges and increase social isolation. Working primarily with Deafblind Scotland, and Deafblind UK, and drawing on sensory and media studies, we will create audio-visual documentation of social experiences of selected members, which will aid in understanding their and our new world. We will also develop strategies and new contactless haptic-audio-visual tools/technologies that facilitate safe and reliable communication for individuals. Research findings will reach policymakers, academics, and public audiences through reports that inform policymaking, contactless haptic-audio-visual tools and strategies, online exhibitions and open access data, journal articles, and public awareness events.


Research activity codes: 5.3 MEDICAL DEVICES;7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: EAR;EYE
Title: The effect of motivational interviewing on hearing aid use, benefit and quality of life of people with hearing impairment
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: A systematic review on randomised controlled trials assessing the effect of the use of amplification by individuals with hearing impairment on their health related quality of life suggests that hearing related benefit from amplification does not always translate to improvement in overall quality of life of the hearing-impaired person. Individual’s readiness to accept their hearing impairment and lack of motivation to deal with it effectively hampers the process of hearing rehabilitation. The aim of this randomised controlled trial is to test the effect of motivational interviewing on hearing aid use and quality of life of people with hearing impairment.


Research activity codes: 2.3 PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS;5.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: EAR;GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: COVID-19 and reduced access to communication: the challenges experienced by deaf people
Funder: The British Academy

Abstract: This project will measure the impact of the lack of deaf-friendly communication strategies during the COVID-19 crisis using accessible, multilanguage online surveys. Deaf people rely on visual communication (sign language and lipreading) and struggle to read at an age appropriate level. Their access to vital information has been reduced due to the 1) lack of sign language interpreting, 2) use of face-masks and 3) use of written texts above their reading level. Furthermore, remote working increases the cognitive fatigue in deaf people because they need to look at small videos of interpreters and increase the amount of reading. We also aim to identify which of the compensatory measures to address information deficits that have originated within the Deaf community have been consulted and relied on. The findings of this research will inform future policies and we shall use them to provide guidelines for disseminating information and setting up remote working.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: EAR;INFECTION
Title: Develop the evidence base for Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) medicine and surgery, ensuring new and current treatments in ENT are tested and evaluated so that patients can benefit from the best treatments in the field.
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: ENT problems such as hearing loss, dizziness and sinus and ear infections are amongst the most common health problems affecting people of all ages. Up until now, little rigorous research has been done into exactly how effective treatments for ENT conditions are. Prof. Schilder will be leading a programme of clinical trials across the UK to test and evaluate new and current treatments in ENT.


Research activity codes: 6.4 SURGERY;6.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: EAR;INFECTION
Title: Hearing, Remembering, and Living Well: Paying Attention to Challenges that Older Adults Face in Noisy Environments
Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Abstract: Virtually all older adults find it challenging to communicate effectively in noisy environments. Difficulty in hearing speech or following conversations, particularly when other voices are present, is one of the most common complaints voiced by older adults. The discomfort and frustration resulting from these difficulties often prompts withdrawal or avoidance of social situations, and can severely limit the range of activities that are available to older adults, leading to a less active and satisfying life style. The goals of the proposed research are to: 1) identify the situations in which older adults experience communication difficulties; 2) develop assessment protocols capable of determining, on an individual basis, any perceptual or cognitive declines contributing to these difficulties; 3) develop individually-tailored strategies for aiding older adults with communication difficulties; 4) develop a set of standards for improving communication environments; and 5) assess the extent to which endeavors 2-4 improve the quality of life and extend the duration of an older adult's active life period.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: EAR;MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Pilot study to evaluate an integrated phonics and language programme for the teaching of reading to deaf and hearing children
Funder: Nuffield Foundation

Abstract: Decoding (phonics) and language are essential for the development of reading comprehension. However, current educational practice focusses on phonics, with less emphasis on language. While this approach does work for many children, a significant proportion struggle, particularly those with weak language skills. This includes many deaf children who are typically excluded from mainstream reading intervention research. This project team will conduct a pilot study to examine the effects of a fully integrated phonics and language whole-class based approach to teaching reading to a sample for children, some of whom will be deaf. This integrated programme should improve children’s reading skills, and the project team will train and support classroom teachers to deliver the programme during the first year of children’s primary education.


Research activity codes: 3.1 PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO MODIFY BEHAVIOURS OR PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Health categories: EAR;MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Language Development and Disorder in Children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A UK Cohort Study
Funder: Medical Research Council

Abstract: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a permanent hearing loss that is characterised by reduced sensitivity to quiet sounds and changes in the perception of sounds. Since the introduction of universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS), the majority of children born in the UK with a bilateral SNHL of >40 dB HL will be detected at or shortly after birth. This has led to significant improvements in the communication, language, social, emotional, and behavioural (SEB) and academic outcomes of these children. Nevertheless, there remain a number of outstanding issues. First, there has been no recent large-scale UK study assessing outcomes in young children with SNHL. Second, the UNHS does not routinely detect mild (20-40 dB) or unilateral losses. Finally, there is growing evidence that a significant proportion of children with SNHL continue to experience difficulties in acquiring spoken language and/or learning to read. The proposed research aims to address these issues, by assessing the communication, language, SEB, and academic abilities of a large cohort (n = 126) of primary-school aged children with early-identified, mild-to-profound SNHL who are spoken language users. Data will be collected at three, yearly intervals, using an accelerated longitudinal design. The results will show the likely outcomes for children with SNHL born in the UK today. Moreover, by following these children up longitudinally, we will be able to identify the predictors of change in this group. In parallel, we will also measure the same outcomes in children with mild SNHL, unilateral SNHL, and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. Finally, we will identify those children with SNHL who show poor spoken and written language abilities, and compare them to normally hearing children who also have poor oral and/or written language. Our findings could be used to inform changes in the UNHS and/or lead to the earlier identification of children with SNHL who are most at risk of future difficulties.


Research activity codes: 2.4 SURVEILLANCE AND DISTRIBUTION;4.1 DISCOVERY AND PRECLINICAL TESTING OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: EAR;MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Change detection in human auditory cortex.
Funder: Wellcome Trust

Abstract: our sense of hearing serves as an early-warning device , rapidly directing attention to new events in our surroundings. While our field of vision is limited, our ears are sensitive to events all around us and we therefore often hear change before we see it. The present project aims to investigate how the auditory system detects changes in the environment. What makes certain changes very easily detectable, whereas other events are missed? Is our brain continuing to monitor for sound changes ev en when we are engulfed in some other activity (e.g. reading a book)? Which brain areas play a role in change detection? To address these issues we use a combination of behavioural and brain-imaging experiments. In behavioural experiments volunteers are presented with specifically designed sound sequences and asked to detect changes within those sounds. This allows us to determine what aspects of sound change listeners are sensitive to and how fast they react to different kinds of events. Brain -imaging experiments reveal how changes are processed, which brain areas are involved and how the task the listener is performing (e.g. whether they are actively trying to detect a change or whether their attention is focused on another task) affects this processing.


Research activity codes: 1.2 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC PROCESSES
Health categories: EAR;MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Realising the benefits of structural and functional MRI at ultra-high-field
Funder: Medical Research Council

Abstract: Ultra-high-field has delivered the expected improvement in sensitivity which we have exploited to increase the spatial resolution of structural and functional MRI (fMRI). In structural imaging, we are now fast approaching a resolution limit set by subject movement, which we aim to overcome by developing a motion tracking system. The limited performance of whole-body gradient systems poses a further restriction on achievable resolution. We will therefore exploit the potential of a novel insert gradient coil set to produce higher gradients at the threshold for peripheral nerve stimulation. Static (B0) and radiofrequency (B1) magnetic field inhomogeneities remain significant challenges at 7T; we will develop new B0-shimming strategies and explore ?multiple transmit? and ?travelling wave approaches for achieving B1-uniformity. Susceptibility effects contribute to enhanced contrast at 7T, but can be difficult to interpret. We will therefore develop quantitative methods for susceptibility mapping and relate the resulting maps to tissue iron content. We will also develop chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) techniques as a measure of myelination. We will validate these techniques using post mortem specimens and use them in vivo, together with more conventional MR contrast parameters, to detect boundaries between functional domains, to distinguish between white matter ischaemic and MS lesions, improve detection of cortical MS lesions and to measure iron content in the subcortical nuclei of patients with Parkinson?s disease. The improved spatial resolution we aim to achieve for fMRI will allow us to investigate the fine-grained functional organisation of the auditory cortex and to probe columnar organisation in other sensory areas. We will also develop improved methods of measuring haemodynamic parameters and use these to refine methods of calibrating the BOLD response at 7T. In linearity studies we will compare cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) derived from the BOLD signal and other haemodynamic parameters with 13C MRS measurements of energy metabolism. We will also compare them to measures of electrical activity (MEG and EEG). We have already established a close correlation between electromagnetic and MR measures; we now wish to examine this relationship across different frequency bands and, using 1H and 13C MRS, relate it to the levels and turnover of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. We will develop muti-modal (MEG/EEG and EEG/fMRI) methods for this purpose. These methods will also be used to distinguish between network models of motor learning, and to compare the ?salience? network between control subjects and schizophrenics in whom it may be deficient.


Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS;1.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (UNDERPINNING)
Health categories: EAR;MENTAL HEALTH;NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Neural and cognitive factors in healthy and impaired hearing
Funder: Medical Research Council

Abstract: Understanding speech is sometimes easy and straightforward, but becomes increasingly difficult in the noisy and cognitively demanding environments that we encounter in everyday life. People with hearing loss have particular difficulty in understanding speech in these environments, experience reduced access to education and employment, and are at greater risk of dementia in later life.. We identify the fundamental limitations on speech perception for normal-hearing (NH) listeners and, particularly, for people whose hearing has been restored by a cochlear implant (CI), and create the methods, tools, and computational models necessary to understand and improve hearing. One example comes from the development of novel EEG equipment and methods, which, together with complementary psychophysical techniques, allow us to identify the neural bases for auditory perception and for the limitations experienced by CI listeners. These measures are combined both with precise single-neuron recordings from animals and with cognitive manipulations in humans that, together, allow us to explore the relationships between sensory deprivation and cognitive capacity. Our multi-disciplinary approach is also applied to investigations of the plasticity of sensory functioning and speech perception, as the newly implanted CI patient’s brain adjusts to the restoration of sensory input. We benefit from a close partnership with clinical colleagues at Addenbrookes hospital, including a monthly clinic for poor-performing CI users that stimulates translation both to and from our basic scientific research, and from collaborations with and support from CI companies. More widely we engage with a critical mass of auditory and language researchers within the CBU (Davis, Halliday, Goehring, Lambon Ralph) and throughout the Cambridge Hearing Group: https://www.hearing-research.group.cam.ac.uk/


Research activity codes: 1.1 NORMAL BIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTIONING;1.2 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC PROCESSES;2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS
Health categories: EAR;MENTAL HEALTH;NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Recognition of dynamic patterns during auditory scene analysis.
Funder: Wellcome Trust

Abstract: To make sense of complex auditory input signals, the mammalian auditory systemmust group the elements of those signals together into identifiable auditory 'objects' or 'streams'. Neither the perceptual rules that govern this groupingnor the neuronal mechanisms by which it is achieved are fully understood. Thisproject proposes to investigate the role of stimulus directionality in sound grouping. We hypothesise that the auditory system is able to identify the directionality of sounds (specifically, increasing or decreasing pitch, level or spatial azimuth) and use this as a cue to group together sounds with similar direction. This hypothesis will be tested through psychoacoustic experiments. We also propose to investigate the neuronal mechanisms underlyinggrouping by directionality. We hypothesise that neuronal populations in the auditory system explicitly represent the directionality of stimuli, and will record neuronal responses in the ferret auditory system to test this. We will investigate whether this is a predictive code, where future values of the stimulus are predicted by the direction of change of past values and neuronal responses are modulated by the deviation of the stimulus from the predicted value. Using parallel neuronal recordings, we will also investigate whether this representation provides a possible basis for the perceptual grouping effects observed psychoacoustically.


Research activity codes: 1.1 NORMAL BIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTIONING;1.2 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC PROCESSES
Health categories: EAR;MENTAL HEALTH;NEUROLOGICAL
Title: The development of 3-dimensional polymer scaffold that promotes chondrogenesis of human perivascular stem cells
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Congenital absence of the external ear occurs in 1 in 6000 births. Surgical reconstruction can result in significant morbidity to the patient. The current method is to harvest the patient’s rib cartilage, carving an ear and implanting it back into the patient. Tissue engineering has shown the potential to grow an ear from autologous tissue and may overcome many of the problems associated with surgery. Fundamental to the success of the tissue engineering is the creation of a 3-dimensional scaffold that promotes chondrogenesis on both a cellular and tissue level. We aim to develop a scaffold that can be used in the reconstruction of the human ear. Human perivascular stem cells (PSC) that are highly chondrogenic will be isolated and purified from the adipose tissue of human volunteers. Microarray technology will be utilised to test a range of polymers for their suitability in cartilage engineering. Initial screening will identify those polymers that preferentially bind and support the proliferation of PSC using DAPI and CellTracker Green staining. Once identified, ‘hit’ polymers will be combined with PSC in various culture conditions to identify reliable and reproducible differentiation protocols. This will be assessed by the expression of proteins associated with chondrogenesis and extra-cellular matrix deposition (Sox-9, Type II collagen, GAGs). Finally, those combinations that show promise will be scaled up and used to develop a 3-dimensional scaffold. The cultured tissue will be analysed to ensure it possesses the properties of mature cartilage histologically, genetically and biomechanically using primary human cartilage as control.


Research activity codes: 5.4 SURGERY
Health categories: EAR;MUSCULOSKELETAL
Title: Modification of the inflammatory response in peri-implant sites by titanium ions and debris
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Titanium (Ti) is one of the most common metals used to manufacture artificial joints, artificial teeth (dental implants) and to secure certain hearing aid devices (Bone anchored hearing aids). Ti is used because it is associated with a favourable response when inserted into bone. However in certain circumstances Ti debris can be released into the surrounding soft tissues over time. This has been shown to cause inflammation and may cause the device to fail. This project will determine the mechanisms underlying the problem both in association with artificial joints and with bone anchored hearing aids. We will then attempt to create laboratory based models that will enable improved materials to be identified. The study has been designed so that additional findings may include identification of markers which could be used for early diagnosis of a failing implanted Ti device. These interventions and the revision procedures required when they fail cost the NHS £ hundreds of millions each year. The study has the potential to significantly impact on this cost burden and contribute to improved patient well-being.


Research activity codes: 6.4 SURGERY
Health categories: EAR;MUSCULOSKELETAL;INFLAMMATORY AND IMMUNE SYSTEM
Title: Over 18 months: From sound encoding to perception and good listening: A concurrent behavioural & electrophysiological test approach for children with auditory processing disorders.
Funder: Action Medical Research

Abstract: Background Some children with normal hearing still find it difficult to listen and respond appropriately to sounds. This is known as Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) and is thought to be caused by problems with sound processing within the brain. Difficulty in understanding speech when there is a lot of background noise is a hallmark symptom of APD. The condition may affect up to 5 per cent of school-aged children with negative effects on both their education and quality-of-life. APD is not well-understood and there is no diagnostic 'gold standard'. Currently, diagnosis is based on hearing tests and cognitive assessments (for example, learning ability, memory, speech and language skills). However, these tests cannot always determine whether a child's APD stems from sensory factors (when they hear the sounds but cannot process them) or cognitive factors (for example, attention deficit disorder). The research project The team aim to develop a new diagnostic approach for APD that measures the brain's activity using EEG, whilst at the same time, measuring other factors that require the child's response. Children recruited to the study will wear a head cap with 36 sensors to record EEG activity as they listen to various non-speech tones through headphones. They will be instructed to press a button in response to the sounds they are hearing. By comparing the brain activity results with the children's simultaneous button responses, it should be possible to determine whether the basis of APD is related to sound processing or factors such as attention. Other measures will include questionnaire symptom reports (completed by parents), attention/memory assessments and speech in noise test performance. Visual tasks will also be conducted, to assess whether APD has a visual component. The main aim of this study is to develop a battery of testing techniques for clinical use in order to improve current diagnosis and treatment of children with this often unrecognised and under-diagnosed condition.


Research activity codes: 4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: EAR;NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Can brain cells be used to treat optic neuritis?
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? _x000D_ Optic neuritis, or inflammation of the optic nerve in the eye, can lead to problems with vision._x000D_ _x000D_ Using a laboratory model of optic neuritis this 3 year project will test whether neural stem cells can both promote repair and limit damage to the optic nerve caused during optic neuritis._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ If successful results could be used to develop potential stem cell therapies to promote repair and protection of all nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord, not just the optic nerve.


Research activity codes: 5.2 CELLULAR AND GENE THERAPIES
Health categories: EAR;NEUROLOGICAL