Dr Helen Willis is an auditory neuroscientist, an expert on how the brain processes sound. Her research focuses on how the cochlear implant, the ‘bionic ear’, affects the cognition of its otherwise deaf users.
Meningitis caused Helen to loose her hearing when she was only a toddler, and she became one of the first individuals to receive a cochlear implant in the UK. In this conversation, Helen talks about her experience of integrating into both the world of sound and the deaf community, why some technological advances might hamper integration, and what deafness can teach us about clear communication.
Helen is a close friend of mine, and it was a joy to record this conversation with her. Whether you are interested in disability and access, communication, or neuroscience, I think you will enjoy this episode!
Resources and links mentioned in this episode
- Learn more about Helen’s work with Cued Speech
- Watch a short documentary about Helen and life with a cochlear implant