Audiology postdoc: Ann-Marie Hamilton

Why did you choose the Manchester course in particular?

I chose Manchester as I love this city and studied here for my MSc in 2006/7. I knew my PhD supervisor from the MSc and was very keen to work with him again. I am interested in the effect of frequency compression on speech perception, the potential benefit of frequency compression (compared to conventional amplification), candidacy for frequency compression, and the effect of speech training in helping listeners adapt to frequency compression. I use a variety of speech tests and self-report measures on normal-hearing and hearing-impaired adults

What area is your research in?

Whilst working as an Audiologist in the NHS I became interested in evaluating and improving hearing aid technology. I am now doing a PhD investigating the effectiveness of a hearing aid processing strategy called non-linear frequency compression. I am funded by a hearing company and sponsored by the University.

What has been the highlight of the course so far?

I have attended two national conferences (presenting a poster at each) and hope to attend an international conference this year. I am currently writing up my first experiment for publication.