Subject: Three Ph.D. Students available at the Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit From: Brian Gygi <bgygi@xxxxxxxx> Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2013 13:59:45 +0000 List-Archive:<http://lists.mcgill.ca/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=AUDITORY>----=_vm_0011_W3961017651_10700_1357739985 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Dear List: There are three Ph.D. studentships being offered starting October 2013 at= the Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit (NHBRU) in Nottingham En= gland. These are exciting opportunities for students interested in hearin= g research. Please pass these along to anyone who may be interested. For more informa= tion, consult the links in the relevant advert or go to the NHBRU website= http://www.hearing.nihr.ac.uk/students/studentships-and-funding ***** The Effects of Background Sounds on First-Time Hearing Aid Users=09Superv= isors: Dr Brian Gygi (NHBRU), Dr. Chris Sumner, (MRC Institute of Hearing= Research (IHR) Nottingham), Dr. Jonathan Peirce, (University of Nottingh= am School of Psychology), Dr. Michael Akeroyd and Dr. Bill Whitmer, (MRC = IHR Glasgow). =09Annoyance from backgrounds is often cited by hearing aid users as a re= ason 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 classe= s of sounds that produce more annoyance than others. In addition, very fe= w studies have examined long-term adaptation to background sounds, to det= ermine if successful acclimatization to these sounds is a factor in heari= ng aid usage. The primary objective is to more fully understand the role = of background sounds in hearing aid user=E2=80=99s difficulties in adjust= ing to their new auditory environment, and to elucidate the relationship = between acclimatization to aversive sounds and successful hearing aid usa= ge. =09The proposed PhD project will utilize a range of research methods, fro= m surveys to laboratory experiments: (1) a survey of hearing aid users, b= oth first-time and experienced, to determine their level of annoyance fro= m 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 chang= es over time, and how users=E2=80=99 acclimatisation relates to their con= tinued hearing aid use. =09The educational benefits to the student will be exposure to various cl= inical and laboratory methods of experimentation, statistical analyses, v= arious aspects and impacts of hearing impairment, and working with a spec= ial 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. =09You 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 metho= ds, or health psychology will be an advantage. You will have excellent co= mmunication and team-working skills, and be self-driven and highly motiva= ted. Standard vetting procedures including CRB check will be required. =09Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr. Brian Gygi, tel: +44 115 82= 3 2603, or email: brian.gygi@xxxxxxxx **** Assessing self-management of hearing loss: development and evaluation of = a measure of patient readiness and self-efficacy tool=09Supervisors: Mela= nie Ferguson (NHBRU), Dr Neil Coulson (University of Nottingham, School o= f Community Health Sciences), Dr Johanna Barry (MRC Institute of Hearing = Research Nottingham) =09The last decade has seen an increase in the use of questionnaires as o= utcome measures (e.g. Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile) to assess bene= fits of interventions for people with hearing loss (PHL). Standard questi= onnaires used in UK clinical audiology practice that tap into quantitativ= e measures, such as hours or proportion of time hearing aids worn, are us= eful. However, they do not reflect psychosocial issues such as patient mo= tivations, readiness and self-efficacy (i.e. a person=E2=80=99s confidenc= e 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 patient=E2=80=99s ability to self-manage either their hearing condit= ion or their clinical intervention. =09In other health domains it is recognised that patients who are well mo= tivated and actively participate in their care are more likely to adopt h= ealth behaviours that lead to better outcomes. This is particularly the c= ase in patients with chronic conditions who are required to play a role i= n their day-to-day management such as hearing loss. =09The primary objective of this PhD project is to develop a questionnair= e of patient readiness and self-efficacy to assess self-management of hea= ring loss in users of hearing aids. Development will be based on a health= behaviour change model (e.g. the Transtheoretical Model of Behavioural C= hange). Secondary objectives are (i) to assess the reliability and validi= ty of the questionnaire, (ii) to evaluate the efficacy of the questionnai= re against existing hearing aid outcome measures, and (iii) to identify f= actors that predict success in self-management of hearing loss. =09You 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 metho= ds, or health psychology will be an advantage. You will have excellent co= mmunication and team-working skills, and be self-driven and highly motiva= ted. You should also be eligible to apply for relevant research clearance= s that may be required including a check with the Criminal Records Bureau= (CRB). =09Informal enquiries may be addressed to Melanie Ferguson, tel: +44 (0) = 115 823 2619 or email: melanie.ferguson@xxxxxxxx ***** Evaluation of formal self-help programmes using person led or eHealth app= roaches to tinnitus management =09Supervisors: Dr Derek Hoare, Prof Deb H= all (NHBRU) and Dr Neil Coulson (University of Nottingham, School of Comm= unity Health Sciences) =09Tinnitus affects one in ten of us. For some people, it becomes a chron= ic and disabling condition often associated with negative emotional react= ions such as stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, insomnia, and difficul= ties 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, an= d this can be delivered in many forms; bibliotherapy, online support prog= rammes, person-led education. Although promoted, such interventions for t= innitus have never been formally evaluated in the UK and so a strong evid= ence base for recommending them is not currently available. =09The proposed PhD project will systematically examine two self-help pro= grammes available in the UK. =09The 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 bibliothera= py, and/or to a no intervention control. Primary outcome measures will in= clude validated questionnaires of tinnitus, co-morbid symptoms, and healt= h-related quality of life. As well as conducting explanatory trials to ex= amine the efficacy of these interventions, the project will also require = a qualitative approach to examine utility, desirability, and acceptabilit= y of the various components contained within each intervention. =09The 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 i= n expertise offered by an experienced supervisory team. =09You 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 metho= ds, health psychology or eHealth will be an advantage. You will have exce= llent communication and team-working skills, and be self-driven and highl= y motivated. Standard vetting procedures including CRB check will be requ= ired. =09Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Derek Hoare, tel: +44 (0) 11= 5 823 2630 or email: derek.hoare@xxxxxxxx Brian Gygi, Ph.D. ----=_vm_0011_W3961017651_10700_1357739985 Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <html><body bgcolor=3D"#ffffff"><div><font face=3D"Verdana" size=3D"2"><= /font></div> <div><font face=3D"Verdana" size=3D"2"> </font></div> <br>Dear List:<br>There are three Ph.D. studentships being offered starti= ng October 2013 at the Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit (NHBRU= ) in Nottingham England. These are exciting opportunities for stude= nts interested in hearing research.<br><br>Please pass these along to any= one 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<br><br>*****<br><br><font face=3D= "arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size=3D"2">The Effects of Background Sounds = on First-Time Hearing Aid Users</font> =09=09=09<p> =09Supervisors: Dr Brian Gygi (NHBRU), Dr. Chris Sumner, (MRC Insti= tute of Hearing Research (IHR) Nottingham), Dr. Jonathan Peirce, (University of Nottingham School of Psychology), Dr. Michael Akeroyd and Dr. Bill Whitmer, (MRC IHR Glasgow).</p> <p> =09<br> =09Annoyance from backgrounds is often cited by hearing aid users as a reason for discontinuing use of hearing aids. Surprisingly few stud= ies 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 addit= ion, 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 user=E2=80=99s difficulties in adjusting to their new auditory environment, and to elucidate the relationship between acclimatization to aversive sounds and successful hearing aid usage.</p> <p> =09<br> =09The proposed PhD project will utilize a range of research methods, fro= m surveys to laboratory experiments: (1) a survey of hearing aid use= rs, 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 users=E2=80=99 acclimatisation relates = to their continued hearing aid use.</p> <p> =09<br> =09The 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.<br> =09You 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 w= ill be required. </p> <p> =09<br> =09Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr. Brian Gygi, tel: +44 115 82= 3 2603, or email: <a href=3D"mailto:brian.gygi@xxxxxxxx">brian.gy= gi@xxxxxxxx</a>.</p><br>****<br><br><font size=3D"2">Assessing se= lf-management of hearing loss: development and evaluation of a measure of= patient readiness and self-efficacy tool</font> =09=09=09<p> =09Supervisors: Melanie Ferguson (NHBRU), Dr Neil Coulson (University of = Nottingham, School of Community Health Sciences), Dr Johanna Barry (MRC Institute of Hearing Research Nottingham)</p> <p> =09<br> =09The 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 person=E2=80= =99s 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 patient=E2=80=99s ability to self-manage either t= heir hearing condition or their clinical intervention.</p> <p> =09<br> =09In 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.</p> <p> =09<br> =09The primary objective of this PhD project is to develop a questionnair= e 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.</p> <p> =09<br> =09You 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). </p> <p> =09<br> =09Informal enquiries may be addressed to Melanie Ferguson, tel: +44 (0) = 115 823 2619 or email: <a href=3D"mailto:melanie.ferguson@xxxxxxxx= k">melanie.ferguson@xxxxxxxx</a>.</p>*****<br><br><font size=3D"2= ">Evaluation of formal self-help programmes using person led or eHealth a= pproaches to tinnitus management </font> =09=09=09<p> =09Supervisors: Dr Derek Hoare, Prof Deb Hall (NHBRU) and Dr Neil Coulson= (University of Nottingham, School of Community Health Sciences)</p> <p> =09<br> =09Tinnitus 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. </p> <p> =09<br> =09The proposed PhD project will systematically examine two self-help pro= grammes available in the UK. </p> <p> =09<br> =09The 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 com= pared 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. </p> <p> =09<br> =09The 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.</p> <p> =09<br> =09You 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 wil= l have excellent communication and team-working skills, and be self-driven and highly motivated. Standard vetting procedures including CRB ch= eck will be required. </p> <p> =09<br> =09Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Derek Hoare, tel: +44 (0) 11= 5 823 2630 or email: <a href=3D"mailto:derek.hoare@xxxxxxxx">dere= k.hoare@xxxxxxxx</a>.</p><br><br><br>Brian Gygi, Ph.D.</body></ht= ml> ----=_vm_0011_W3961017651_10700_1357739985--