DFG funding for the next generation of voice diagnostics at FAU

Artificial intelligence and laser technology

Researchers at FAU have received a total of 1.32 million euros in funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for developing new procedures for voice diagnostics which can be used to diagnose and investigate voice disorders, hoarseness and their causes.

The DFG is providing 800,000 euros for developing an endoscopic laser-based measuring system for real-time analysis of the visible 3D surface of the larynx, a non-invasive method which can be used to provide an image of the surface of the larynx of those affected by various voice disorders. The project involves researchers from the Chair of Photonic Technologies led by Prof. Michael Schmidt, the Chair of Visual Computing led by Prof. Marc Stamminger and the Department of Phoniatrics and Paediatric Audiology at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery led by Prof. Michael Döllinger.

The DFG has also provided 508,000 euros in funding for a study into hoarseness led by Dr. Anne Schützenberger, Department of Phoniatrics and Paediatric Audiology at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, and Prof. Michael Döllinger, Professorship of Computational Medicine. Together with their team, they are developing methods and software based on machine learning and artificial intelligence to diagnose and track the progress of treatment for voice disorders. A further 12,607 euros from the Forschungsstiftung Medizin at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (UKER) has been allocated to Dr. Andreas Kist, Department of Phoniatrics and Paediatric Audiology at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology for research into using methods from deep learning to assess the functionality of vocal chords.

Further information

Prof. Dr. Michael Döllinger
Professorship for Computational Medicine
Phone +49 9131 85 33814
michael.doellinger@uk-erlangen.de