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  3. Auditory and Visual Processing

Auditory and Visual Processing (ELEN90071)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2024

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Overview

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AIMS

This subject has a twofold aim. First, it introduces students to auditory processing and auditory prostheses available for treating auditory impairment, and to visual processing and visual prostheses available for treating vision impairment. Topics covered in auditory processing and prostheses include: acoustics and auditory stimuli, auditory pathway, neural coding of sound, auditory psychophysics, hearing loss and auditory impairment, cochlear implants (the Bionic Ear) and cochlear implant stimulation strategies. Topics covered in visual processing and prostheses include: the retina, the visual pathway, vision psychophysics, visual prostheses, prosthetic vision and retinal implant stimulation strategies.

Second, it introduces students to a number of important research skills: (i) how to prepare and present a lecture and (ii) how to provide feedback on the presentations of other students.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics include:

Acoustics and auditory stimuli, auditory pathway, neural coding of sound, auditory psychophysics, hearing loss and auditory impairment, cochlear implants (the Bionic Ear) and cochlear implant stimulation strategies, the retina, the visual pathway, vision psychophysics, visual prostheses, prosthetic vision and retinal implant stimulation strategies.

Intended learning outcomes

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)


Having completed this subject it is expected that the student be able to:



  • Describe the processing of sound carried out in the auditory pathway
  • Measure the behaviour of the human auditory system using psychophysical procedures
  • Interpret the results of the principal measures of auditory impairment
  • Identify the type of neural prosthesis appropriate for specific types of hearing impairment
  • Describe the principal signal processing techniques used with cochlear implants
  • Identify the factors that determine the effectiveness of a cochlear implant for a particular patient
  • Describe the processing of vision carried out in the visual pathway
  • Measure the behaviour of the human visual system using psychophysical procedures
  • Interpret the results of the principal measures of visual impairment
  • Describe the principal signal processing techniques used with retinal implants
  • Identify the factors that determine the effectiveness of a vision implant for a particular patient

Generic skills

  • In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline;
  • Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution;
  • Understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development;
  • Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning;
  • Intellectual curiosity and creativity, including understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of research activity;
  • Openness to new ideas and unconventional critiques of received wisdom.

Last updated: 30 January 2024