WHISPER

WHISPER will develop and evaluate a novel, web-based system to support widespread screening and prevention of hearing impairment. It will be the first system to combine:
(1) remote speech recognition testing using an automated, language-independent speech-in-noise test;
(2) assessment of the risk factors for developing hearing impairment via a language-independent, icon-based interface, and
(3) modeling of the individual risk for developing hearing impairment and the associated cognitive decline using explainable artificial intelligence (AI).

WHISPER answers the need to increase access to screening and prevention (for older adults, for individuals in underserved areas, for minorities, and for those with low socioeconomic status) and develops tools that are language-independent and natively designed to be delivered at a distance, e.g. via web or mobile app, and natively integrated with explainable AI to extract actionable knowledge from the measured data.