Hearing and Balance Centre
The Hearing and Balance Centre (HABC) is part of the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) at the University of Southampton.
We are a large multidisciplinary team, including audiologists, researchers, speech and language therapists, teachers of the deaf, ENT surgeons and paediatricians. A key element of our clinical and research activities relates to cochlear implants. This was recognised in 2006 when we received the Queen's Anniversary Prize.
We work to improve the quality of life of patients with hearing and/or balance disorders by combining clinical activities with research and teaching.
HABC strives to improve the quality of life of individuals with hearing and balance disorders through world-class research
Hearing and Balance Centre
Teaching
We provide undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes in audiology, and also have a thriving postgraduate research training programme.
We offer several short courses, including the Balance course, and individual modules from the MSc Audiology programme.
Research
We strive to improve the quality of life of individuals with hearing and balance disorders through world-class research.
Our key research areas are:
Our key strengths include:
- an integrated community of multidisciplinary academic researchers and clinicians on one site
- integrated clinical, teaching and research facilities
- well-established collaborations with industry, including cochlear implant manufacturers
- renowned audiology teaching programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level
- close links with other ISVR research groups, including the Signal Processing and Control Group, and other divisions in the University
- a vibrant community of doctoral students in audiology and related disciplines
Funding sources include UK research councils, EU (LISCOM, GUARD, EMFnEAR, HEARCOM, AUDIS), government organisations (NHS, Health and Safety Executive), hearing-aid companies (Oticon, Phonak), cochlear implant companies (Cochlear, Med-El) and charities (RNID, Deafness Research UK).
Facilities
ISVR has some of the best facilities for acoustic and audiology research in the UK. For example, the Audiology Clinic and South of England Cochlear Implant Centre (SOECIC) contain facilities for advanced paediatric and adult hearing and balance assessment. New state-of-art facilities have been built for SOECIC. ISVR has two anechoic chambers, one of which is among the largest in the UK.
Clinical activities
At HABC, we provide a range of routine and specialist clinical services to patients of all ages, and receive referrals from the independent sector.
The Audiology Clinic provides a range of specialist diagnostic and rehabilitative audiovestibular services.
The South of England Cochlear Implant Centre (SOECIC) provides services to severely and profoundly hearing-impaired patients using cochlear implants.
Audiology Clinic
South of England Cochlear Implant Centre
Contact us
Hearing and Balance Centre
Institute of Sound and Vibration Research
University of Southampton
Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)23 8059 22 87/88
Facsimile: +44 (0)23 8059 49 81
Email: audiology-enquiries@isvr.soton.ac.uk