Our hearing functions through an interplay between the performance of our ears and the auditory processing in our brain. However, health data from neurology or ENT specialists, which could be used to better treat hearing loss, has so far remained largely inaccessible to hearing aid acousticians. AVATAR enables us to use anonymised data from related disciplines in order to gain a holistic picture of the patient and thus improve hearing rehabilitation.

Portrait Dr. Juliane Dettling-Papargyris
Dr. Juliane Dettling-Papargyris Scientific Director of the terzo Institute for Applied Hearing Research

EEG data contains many person-specific signals that can be used to re-identify patients. The amount of EEG data sets that are actually available for research is therefore currently completely inadequate. In the AVATAR project, we are therefore developing anonymisation procedures that make it easier to use EEG data in science and exchange it between clinics. Effective anonymisation is essential in order to advance research in this area and thus improve monitoring and therapy.