Keynote Speakers
The 8th International Congress on Bone Conduction Hearing and Related Technologies is proud present our four keynote speakers.
Prof. Matthew Mason, University of Cambridge
Presenting: Evolutionary Adaptations Towards Bone-Conducted Hearing Matt Mason read Zoology at the University of Cambridge, UK, and went on to complete a PhD on the structure and function of the middle ear of mammals. His postdoctoral studies, working with Peter Narins at UCLA, involved the use of laser vibrometry to examine sound transmission in the frog ear. In 2001, Matt returned to Cambridge where he is now Professor of Comparative Physiology. He continues to study how ear morphology relates to function, across a wide range of unusual vertebrates.
Saad Bhamla, PhD, Georgia Tech
Presenting: An Ultra-Low-Cost Hearing Aid for Age-Related Hearing Loss and Other Frugal InventionsDirector of The BhamlaLab, which explores fundamental and applied research questions through the development of new experimental tools and techniques at the intersection of soft matter, organismic physics and global health. Research interests include Ultra-fast Organismic Physics, Biological Soft Matter, and Frugal Science and Global Health.
Anu Sharma, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
Presenting: Cortical Neuroplasticity in Pediatric Hearing Loss: Clinical ImplicationsProfessor Sharma’s research focuses on the impact of hearing loss on the brain. She is currently examining the effects of auditory deprivation (ranging from mild-moderate hearing loss to profound deafness) on development and re-organization of the central auditory pathways, and on cross-modal compensatory plasticity from visual and somatosensory modalities. Dr. Sharma is also interested in the effects of intervention with hearing aids and cochlear implants on cortical plasticity and behavioral outcomes. Dr. Sharma is interested in neuroplasticity at both ends of the age spectrum (infants and young children, as well as age-related hearing loss in older adults). Dr. Sharma and her research team are conducting studies using evoked potentials and high-density EEG in adults and children with normal hearing, hearing loss and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. She directs a state-of-the-art laboratory where students perform electrophysiology testing (using auditory, visual and somatosensory stimulation) source localization and EEG brain dynamics as well as speech perception and cognitive behavioral experiments.
Andrew Brown, PhD, University of Washington
Presenting: Leveling-Up Spatial Hearing: For a Couple of Ears, It’s TimeAndrew Brown completed his PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of Washington, where he studied human binaural hearing. Postdoctoral fellowships with Ruth Litovsky (University of Wisconsin, 2012) and Dan Tollin (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 2013-2017) led to work in several new areas including auditory brainstem physiology and clinical hearing devices. Andrew returned to the University of Washington in 2018, where he is now an Associate Professor in Speech and Hearing Sciences, working to measure and mitigate constraints on human spatial hearing outcomes, particularly during the use of hearing devices.
Speaker Disclosures
Prof. Matthew Mason
- Financial Disclosure: Receiving an honorarium from the University of Colorado School of Medicine for his OSSEO presentation.
- Non-Financial Disclosure: No non-financial disclosures.
Saad Bhamla, PhD
- Financial Disclosure: Receiving an honorarium from the University of Colorado School of Medicine for his OSSEO presentation.
- Non-Financial Disclosure: Director of TheBhamlaLab
Andrew Brown, PhD
- Financial Disclosure: Receiving an honorarium from the University of Colorado School of Medicine for his OSSEO presentation.
- Non-Financial Disclosure: No non-financial disclosures.
Anu Sharma, PhD
- Financial Disclosure: Receives funding from NIH, Hearing Industry Research Consortium, Demant Foundation. Received honoraria and travel support from Oticon, Phonak, Advanced Bionics.
- Non-Financial Disclosure: No non-financial disclosures.
Hannes Maier
- Financial Disclosure: Receiving an honorarium from the University of Colorado School of Medicine for his OSSEO presentation.
- Non-Financial Disclosure: Recipient of the OSSEO award.