David B. Grayden
PhD, BE (Hons), BSc

Senior Research Fellow

The Bionic Ear Institute
384-388 Albert Street
East Melbourne  VIC  3002
Australia
Ph:  +61 3 9667 7520
Fax: +61 3 9667 7518
E-mail: dgrayden@bionicear.org

About Me

I was born in Melbourne, Australia, at a very young age. When I was four, my parents took my sister and me to the Philippines where we lived for 11 years. We returned to Melbourne (with a brother and another sister) in time for me to commence Year 11 at school. However, the damage was done: I speak with a (now somewhat faded) American accent!

After completing my Higher School Certificate, I enrolled in an Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Computer Science double degree course at the University of Melbourne. I then completed a PhD in the same Electrical Engineering Department entitled

"An Integrated Knowledge-Based Approach to Unrestricted Speech Recognition."

During my PhD studies, I got a taste of lecturing by teaching a number of courses on a part-time basis. In 1996, I lectured full-time in the Department for one year. During this year I received word that the Bionic Ear Institute was needing a new Research Fellow for speech signal processing research. I jumped at the opportunity and am now working full-time at the Bionic Ear Institute.

My Research: Advanced Speech Processing for the Bionic Ear

The Cochlear Implant has been implanted in thousands of people throughout the world. However, the benefit received from the implant varies considerably. Some people can obtain near perfect perception of speech while others struggle. This project will develop specialised signal processing techniques that will help to better distinguish the different speech sounds.

My research involves careful examination of speech perception by people using the implant. The results of these studies are used to design strategies which will provide the features to the cochlear more adequately and in a way that will improve their perception by the users.

The Australian Speech Science and Technology Association (ASSTA)

One of my involvements is with ASSTA, a scientific association of researchers involved in many aspects of speech science and technology. I am currently the Secretary of the association.

The ARC Network in Human Communication Science (HCSNet)

I am also a participant in HCSNet, funded by the Australian Research Council with the aim of promoting and facilitating interdisciplinary research in human communication science by connecting leading researchers in language, speech and sonics.

  Author: dgrayden@bionicear.org    Last Updated:  Friday October 28 2005