Digitial technology allows us to collect data about people’s feelings, opinons and behaviour while it is happening or very close in time to when it happened. This form of data collection is known as Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). An extension of EMA is Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI) in which EMA responses are used to provide an intervention in real-time in a real-world setting. Today’s hearing aids paired with a smartphone have the capacity to be used for EMA and EMI, however, although EMA has been widely used for audiological research, the clinical applications of EMA and EMI have not been investigated.
The overall purpose of this PhD project will be to explore how can EMA/EMI be optimally used to support people with hearing loss (PwHL), their communication partners and the audiologists who provide their care. This will be achieved by investigating some of the following:
· The willingness of PwHL, their communication partners, and audiologists to use EMA as part of hearing care, and for what purposes
· How EMA and EMI could be used to identify successful versus unsuccessful listening experiences for individual hearing-aid wearers, and whether providing feedback about their EMA ratings provides a better understanding of how to manage different listening situations
· What data should be captured with EMA and when
· Whether EMA can be used to provide insights into listening intent and how this can be used to improve hearing aid outcomes
· To determine whether active involvement in hearing care impacts outcomes of hearing care, in terms of listening ability and satisfaction, but also empowerment, motivation, ownership and self-efficacy.
Our expectation is that the student’s interests and skills will determine the the specific direction the project will take.
Entry Requirements
Applicants are expected to hold (or about to obtain) a minimum upper second class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in audiology, psychology, data science, communication, or related fields. A Masters degree in a relevant subject and/or experience in clinical audiology, data science or is desirable.
How To Apply
For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/). Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor. You MUST also submit an online application form - choose PhD Audiology.
Application Deadline: The application deadline is 15 June 2022. However, please note we reserves the right to review applications as they are submitted, to interview and appoint a candidate that meets the academic requirements prior to the closing date. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/