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Dear List:
There are three Ph.D. studentships being offered starting October 2013 at the Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit (NHBRU) in Nottingham England. These are exciting opportunities for students interested in hearing research.
Please pass these along to anyone who may be interested. For more information, consult the links in the relevant advert or go to the NHBRU website http://www.hearing.nihr.ac.uk/students/studentships-and-funding
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The Effects of Background Sounds on First-Time Hearing Aid Users
Supervisors: Dr Brian Gygi (NHBRU), Dr. Chris Sumner, (MRC Institute
of Hearing Research (IHR) Nottingham), Dr. Jonathan Peirce, (University
of Nottingham School of Psychology), Dr. Michael Akeroyd and Dr. Bill
Whitmer, (MRC IHR Glasgow).
Annoyance from backgrounds is often cited by hearing aid users as a
reason for discontinuing use of hearing aids. Surprisingly few studies
have systematically examined the annoyance hearing aid users experience
from background sounds, and more specifically whether there are certain
classes of sounds that produce more annoyance than others. In addition,
very few studies have examined long-term adaptation to background
sounds, to determine if successful acclimatization to these sounds is a
factor in hearing aid usage. The primary objective is to more fully
understand the role of background sounds in hearing aid userâs
difficulties in adjusting to their new auditory environment, and to
elucidate the relationship between acclimatization to aversive sounds
and successful hearing aid usage.
The proposed PhD project will utilize a range of research methods, from
surveys to laboratory experiments: (1) a survey of hearing aid users,
both first-time and experienced, to determine their level of annoyance
from background sounds and which sounds in particular are annoying to
them; (2) these findings will be confirmed in laboratory studies; (3)
follow-up studies will be conducted to determine how the annoyance of
sounds changes over time, and how usersâ acclimatisation relates to
their continued hearing aid use.
The educational benefits to the student will be exposure to various
clinical and laboratory methods of experimentation, statistical
analyses, various aspects and impacts of hearing impairment, and working
with a special population (persons with hearing aids). Applications
are welcome from graduates who are interested in hearing science, and in
learning to use mixed-design approaches to research.
You should have or expect to obtain a first class or upper 2.1 honours
degree (or equivalent), or an MSc/MA, in psychology, audiology, or other
relevant science discipline. Research experience in mixed research
methods, or health psychology will be an advantage. You will have
excellent communication and team-working skills, and be self-driven and
highly motivated. Standard vetting procedures including CRB check will
be required.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr. Brian Gygi, tel: +44 115 823 2603, or email: brian.gygi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
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Assessing self-management of hearing loss: development and evaluation of a measure of patient readiness and self-efficacy tool
Supervisors: Melanie Ferguson (NHBRU), Dr Neil Coulson (University of
Nottingham, School of Community Health Sciences), Dr Johanna Barry (MRC
Institute of Hearing Research Nottingham)
The last decade has seen an increase in the use of questionnaires as
outcome measures (e.g. Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile) to assess
benefits of interventions for people with hearing loss (PHL). Standard
questionnaires used in UK clinical audiology practice that tap into
quantitative measures, such as hours or proportion of time hearing aids
worn, are useful. However, they do not reflect psychosocial issues such
as patient motivations, readiness and self-efficacy (i.e. a personâs
confidence or belief in their ability to succeed in a particular
situation), which are central to the success of interventions for PHL.
Nor do they capture the patientâs ability to self-manage either their
hearing condition or their clinical intervention.
In other health domains it is recognised that patients who are well
motivated and actively participate in their care are more likely to
adopt health behaviours that lead to better outcomes. This is
particularly the case in patients with chronic conditions who are
required to play a role in their day-to-day management such as hearing
loss.
The primary objective of this PhD project is to develop a questionnaire
of patient readiness and self-efficacy to assess self-management of
hearing loss in users of hearing aids. Development will be based on a
health behaviour change model (e.g. the Transtheoretical Model of
Behavioural Change). Secondary objectives are (i) to assess the
reliability and validity of the questionnaire, (ii) to evaluate the
efficacy of the questionnaire against existing hearing aid outcome
measures, and (iii) to identify factors that predict success in
self-management of hearing loss.
You should have or expect to obtain a first class or upper 2.1 honours
degree (or equivalent), or an MSc/MA, in psychology, audiology, or other
relevant science discipline. Research experience in mixed research
methods, or health psychology will be an advantage. You will have
excellent communication and team-working skills, and be self-driven and
highly motivated. You should also be eligible to apply for relevant
research clearances that may be required including a check with the
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Melanie Ferguson, tel: +44 (0) 115 823 2619 or email: melanie.ferguson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. *****
Evaluation of formal self-help programmes using person led or eHealth approaches to tinnitus management
Supervisors: Dr Derek Hoare, Prof Deb Hall (NHBRU) and Dr Neil Coulson
(University of Nottingham, School of Community Health Sciences)
Tinnitus affects one in ten of us. For some people, it becomes a
chronic and disabling condition often associated with negative emotional
reactions such as stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, insomnia, and
difficulties concentrating and in communication. There is no uniformly
effective treatment for tinnitus so clinical management typically
involves various interventions that aim to reduce those emotional
reactions. The promotion of self-help forms part of recommended care for
people with tinnitus, and this can be delivered in many forms;
bibliotherapy, online support programmes, person-led education.
Although promoted, such interventions for tinnitus have never been
formally evaluated in the UK and so a strong evidence base for
recommending them is not currently available.
The proposed PhD project will systematically examine two self-help programmes available in the UK.
The principal research will involve two population studies looking at
(1) the efficacy of a tinnitus specific self-help programme available as
an online resource (www.tinnituseprogramme.org), and (2) the efficacy
of a generic self-help programme designed to support people living with
any long-term conditions, available online and as a person led group
course (www.expertpatients.co.uk). Both programmes can be compared to
bibliotherapy, and/or to a no intervention control. Primary outcome
measures will include validated questionnaires of tinnitus, co-morbid
symptoms, and health-related quality of life. As well as conducting
explanatory trials to examine the efficacy of these interventions, the
project will also require a qualitative approach to examine utility,
desirability, and acceptability of the various components contained
within each intervention.
The successful student will join a thriving multidisciplinary tinnitus
research group comprising postdoctoral researchers, research assistants,
a research audiologist, and five PhD students. The student can
therefore expect to benefit from excellent peer support in addition to
the range in expertise offered by an experienced supervisory team.
You should have or expect to obtain a first class or upper 2.1 honours
degree (or equivalent), or an MSc/MA, in psychology, audiology, or other
relevant science discipline. Research experience in mixed research
methods, health psychology or eHealth will be an advantage. You will
have excellent communication and team-working skills, and be self-driven
and highly motivated. Standard vetting procedures including CRB check
will be required.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Derek Hoare, tel: +44 (0) 115 823 2630 or email: derek.hoare@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Brian Gygi, Ph.D.
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