PhDs in Focus: The predictive value of extended high-frequency hearing
Welcome to our PhDs in Focus blog series, where our PhD students are showcasing their pioneering research projects at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
In this blog, Manchester BRC PhD student Melanie Lough outlines how their PhD project aims to determine the value of the highest frequency range of human hearing for predicting hearing aid fitting outcomes, as part of the Hearing Health theme.
Why am I doing a PhD?
Before I commenced my PhD, I was a Research Audiologist within the Hearing Health theme of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), based at The University of Manchester.
Throughout my five years’ work in hearing research, I was involved in 17 studies, encompassing a wide range of research methods. I gained experience of performing all tasks within the research process, from study design to dissemination of the results. These experiences, along with the desire to challenge myself and the potential for improving hearing health care for patients on a larger scale, cemented my ambition to become a clinical researcher and to undertake a PhD.
My PhD project
The Manchester BRC PhD project I have embarked on aims to determine the value of the highest frequency range of human hearing (the “extended high frequencies”) for predicting hearing aid fitting outcomes.
Being able to predict how much benefit, use or satisfaction an individual is likely to get from hearing aids would help a patient make an informed decision about their care, and help an audiologist decide if their patient might require additional support. This is important because it is estimated that 38% of people issued with hearing aids do not use them and 22% of those who do are not satisfied with them.
Previous research suggests that we don’t yet know enough about the factors influencing hearing aid fitting outcomes to be able to make good predictions. The extended high frequencies may hold the key for improving predictions because they appear to be an indicator of overall ear health and speech-in-noise listening ability.
Getting stuck in
My first project task has been to identify what tests of extended high-frequency hearing have been described in the scientific literature to date. This has taken the form of a scoping review (a method of systematically mapping the literature on a particular topic), a methodology that was new to me when I started eight months ago.
I have discovered during my PhD that I quite enjoy learning about different research methods, and I have since relished reading about prognostic research methods that I can employ in my final PhD study. Thankfully, there is an abundance of learning and development opportunities available to me through the University and Manchester BRC, which I will continue to access.
The most positive aspect of my PhD so far is the personal connections I have made. I have bonded with other PhD students in my department and appreciate regular catchups with my BRC Buddy Scheme buddy.
Although I already knew both of my supervisors professionally, this is the first time I have worked closely on a project with them. They are supportive and understanding, and I look forward to working with them throughout the rest of my PhD journey.