Networking Event: DH Virtual Discussion Group – Session 1

Are you a Digital Humanities student or early career researcher in Belgium who would like to discuss DH with other early career researchers in the Belgian DH community? If so, you might be interested in joining the DH Virtual Discussion Group for ECRs!

The DH Virtual Discussion Group is a joint initiative organized by individuals at three different Belgian institutions. We strive to involve speakers from various Belgian institutions and encourage participation from all those who are interested in DH and are located at any Belgian institution. This year, the core organizers are Leah Budke (KU Leuven Libraries Artes), Sven Lieber (KBR), Paavo van der Eecken (University of Antwerp), and Loren Verreyen (University of Antwerp). Over the past years, the series has become a regular event. The fall 2024 edition proudly marks our ninth term.

Our sessions this fall will continue the “under-the-hood” format, which entails a volunteer from our community providing a thirty-minute overview of a digital project implementing a given tool, approach, or platform. This is not meant to be a polished research presentation, or to present findings or results, but rather to give our community a behind-the-scenes look at how decisions were made and why specific tools were chosen or developed. The hope is also that this presenter will give attendees some ideas about how to get started implementing a specific tool or workflow, and that they can also answer questions or contribute to a discussion on other projects in our community that might be using similar methodologies or addressing similar issues. This “under-the-hood” session format allows us to have focused discussions around a specific project where we can learn from each other in an informal way. In addition, by implementing this format we can maintain the low threshold for contributing and engaging in the conversations. It also allows us to learn about the diverse projects being done in the Benelux region related to digital humanities (an added bonus!).

Session 1
Monday 21 October, 15h-16h30 CEST via Teams
Speaker(s): Leonardo Grotti, University of Antwerp
Title: Methodological Challenges and Innovations in Hearing Therapy Research: The MuLiSSA
Abstract: Disabling hearing loss (DHL) is a global concern, impacting millions and necessitating innovative solutions. In the pursuit of these solutions, hearing therapy research encounters methodological complexities that require careful consideration. This paper introduces the MuLiSSA project, which aims to address these challenges and advance hearing assessment and rehabilitation.

Our research targets the shift from traditional in-booth speech audiometry to self-administered assessments via wireless audio streaming, increasing accessibility across settings. We validate the feasibility of boothless self-testing, accounting for technical and environmental constraints.

To improve precision in speech audiometry, we explore techniques for identifying phoneme errors in patients, aiming to enhance personalized hearing device settings and rehabilitation outcomes. Additionally, we address multilingual speech testing to enable comparable scores across languages, breaking language barriers in hearing healthcare. We also discuss strategies for integrating diverse research methodologies, addressing interdisciplinary challenges, and managing funding complexities in methodologically diverse projects.

To join the Discussion Group, you will need to register for their mailing list. Once you have registered for the mailing list, you will receive all further communication about the initiative. You can join the mailing list at any time.

The links for the virtual meetings are sent out via email and shared in the Slack community the morning of the event. To request to join the Slack community, contact Leah Budke.