Audiology and Vestibular Research

SOUNDlab explores hearing and balance across the lifespan through prevention, diagnostics, rehabilitation, and clinical research. Our expertise spans hearing health, tinnitus and hyperacusis, auditory cognition, and vestibular function in adults and children. Using advanced techniques such as EEG, fMRI, fNIRS, and standardized tests, we aim to improve understanding and care for auditory and vestibular disorders.

Hearing Health and Prevention

Investigating factors affecting the auditory system, including recreational and occupational noise exposure. Efforts focus on prevention, evaluation, and monitoring of hearing-related problems, development of hearing care programs, and implementation of mHealth applications.

Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

Exploring the complex mechanisms underlying tinnitus and hyperacusis through medical and audiological data collection, complemented by EEG, fMRI, and fNIRS experiments. The research also considers comorbidities such as chronic pain and cognitive impacts.

Auditory Cognitive Functioning

Studying how central cognitive processes contribute to hearing and speech understanding. This includes assessing auditory-cognitive functioning in various populations using cognitive test batteries, behavioral listening effort tests, EEG, and fNIRS.

Adult Vestibular Function

Evaluating peripheral vestibular function in patients with conditions like Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, and Turner's syndrome. Research assesses the impact of vestibular dysfunction on motor and cognitive functioning using tests such as vHIT, c/oVEMP, caloric tests, and rotation testing.

Pediatric Vestibular Function

Focusing on early childhood vestibular screening and rehabilitation, particularly in children with hearing loss, congenital cytomegalovirus infection, cochlear implants, Turner's syndrome, 22q11 deletion syndrome, or developmental disorders like ADHD, ASD, and DCD.

More Information

For more information about our research activities, please visit the website of the Audiovestibular Research Unit Ghent and the Ghent Auditory Science Platform (GASP).