The project is structured around four core questions:
Which spatial cues most effectively support behavioural tasks such as speech-in-noise understanding and localisation?
How should spatial cues be modified to create optimal enhanced or “superhuman” HRTFs?
To what extent can users adapt to these enhanced, non-individualised spatial cues?
Do enhanced cues result in measurable performance improvements relative to current hearing-aid approaches?
Work packages
WP1: Creation
Create a large, open dataset of superhuman HRTFs using parametric ear-geometry models.
WP2: Optimisation
Use machine learning and auditory models to identify HRTF modifications that improve specific behavioural tasks such as localisation and speech intelligibility.
WP3: Adaptation
Investigate how well users can adapt to enhanced spatial cues through structured perceptual training.
WP4: Evaluation
Evaluate benefits in realistic listening conditions and compare performance against current hearing-aid baselines.