About

Blake Shaw Wilson is a distinguished professor and researcher in the field of biomedical engineering, with a focus on hearing healthcare and cochlear implants. He is the Director of the Duke Hearing Center and holds adjunct or consulting positions in the Departments of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University. With four decades of involvement in the development of cochlear implants, he is credited as the inventor of many signal processing strategies used in current devices. His work has significantly advanced the field, with one of his papers published in Nature being the most highly cited publication in the principal field of cochlear implants. Professor Wilson's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2015 Russ Prize for engineering cochlear implants that enable the deaf to hear, and the 2013 Lasker~DeBakey Award for the development of the modern cochlear implant. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of several prestigious organizations, including the IEEE, the Acoustical Society of America, and the National Academy of Inventors. His research interests extend to global hearing healthcare, and he currently serves as the Chair of the Lancet Commission on Hearing Loss. His educational background includes a B.S.E.E. from Duke University, and advanced degrees from the University of Warwick, University of Technology Sydney, and Duke University.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Sociology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Political Science
• Library science
• Psychology
• Audiology
• Telecommunications
• Medicine
• Business
• Marketing

Selected publications

• Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence in Otolaryngology and the Communication Sciences

  UNC Libraries · 2025-04-17

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Strategies to Scale-Up Screening for Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01

  reviewOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Design and Best Uses of Cochlear Implants

  2024-01-01

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Priorities for hearing loss prevention and estimates of global cause-specific burdens of hearing loss: a systematic rapid review

  The Lancet Global Health · 2024-01-21 · 50 citations

  reviewOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Hearing loss affects approximately 1·6 billion individuals worldwide. Many cases are preventable. We aimed to estimate the annual number of new hearing loss cases that could be attributed to meningitis, otitis media, congenital rubella syndrome, cytomegalovirus, and ototoxic medications, specifically aminoglycosides, platinum-based chemotherapeutics, and antimalarials. METHODS: We used a targeted and a rapid systematic literature review to calculate yearly global incidences of each cause of hearing loss. We estimated the prevalence of hearing loss for each presumed cause. For each cause, we calculated the global number of yearly hearing loss cases associated with the exposure by multiplying the estimated exposed population by the prevalence of hearing loss associated with the exposure, accounting for mortality when warranted. FINDINGS: An estimated 257·3 million people per year are exposed to these preventable causes of hearing loss, leading to an estimated 33·8 million new cases of hearing loss worldwide per year. Most hearing loss cases were among those with exposure to ototoxic medications (19·6 million [range 12·6 million-27·9 million] from short-course aminoglycoside therapy and 12·3 million from antimalarials). We estimated that 818 000 cases of hearing loss were caused by otitis media, 346 000 by meningitis, 114 000 by cytomegalovirus, and 59 000 by congenital rubella syndrome. INTERPRETATION: The global burden of preventable hearing loss is large. Hearing loss that is attributable to disease sequelae or ototoxic medications contributes substantially to the global burden of hearing loss. Prevention of these conditions should be a global health priority. FUNDING: The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and the US National Institute on Aging.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Development of Measures for d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Stigma: Introduction to the Special Supplement on Stigma Measurement Tools

  Ear and Hearing · 2024-09-01 · 12 citations

  articleOpen access

  People who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing (d/DHH) often experience stigma and discrimination in their daily lives. Qualitative research describing their lived experiences has provided useful, in-depth insights into the pervasiveness of stigma. Quantitative measures could facilitate further investigation of the scope of this phenomenon. Thus, under the auspices of the Lancet Commission on Hearing Loss, we developed and preliminarily validated survey measures of different types of stigma related to d/Deafness and hearing loss in the United States (a high-income country) and Ghana (a lower-middle income country). In this introductory article, we first present working definitions of the different types of stigma; an overview of what is known about stigma in the context of hearing loss; and the motivation underlying the development of measures that capture different types of stigma from the perspectives of different key groups. We then describe the mixed-methods exploratory sequential approach used to develop the stigma measures for several key groups: people who are d/DHH, parents of children who are d/DHH, care partners of people who are d/DHH, healthcare providers, and the general population. The subsequent manuscripts in this special supplement of Ear and Hearing describe the psychometric validation of the various stigma scales developed using these methods.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Towards universal access: A review of global efforts in ear and hearing care

  Hearing Research · 2024-02-11 · 10 citations

  reviewOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Multifaceted approach to minority recruitment for participants in Alzheimer’s Disease research studies

  Alzheimer s & Dementia · 2023-12-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Background Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic adults as compared to white adults, yet 75% of those who participate in AD research are white (1,2,3). Without the full participation of under‐represented groups in clinical research studies and trials, researchers will have limited understanding of how potential treatments work in these communities (4,5). Method The study used an iterative, mixed methods approach to enhance the recruitment of URGs for AD research studies. These methods involved targeted direct mailing campaigns, advertising in minority specific media outlets (radio and newspaper), and URG‐specific email outreach. Each encounter offered an opportunity to address concerns and educate while also recruiting potential participants into AD research studies. Direct mailings were sent to 15,200 under‐represented people (URPs) within a 25‐mile radius of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). The direct mailing contained a letter to the URP and a study brochure. Each mailing was in an envelope containing the official VUMC logo. Two weeks after the direct mailing, weekly emails were sent to URPs from the direct mailing list. If there was no response to the email, a second email was sent 4 weeks later. There was a total of 492 URPs that responded, a return of 3.2%. As the number of URPs reaching out from the direct mailing began to slow, additional URP specific advertisements were conducted in minority specific media outlets (radio and newspaper). Result Preliminary results have shown that a mixed method approach has been successful in recruiting URGs. From August 2022 to April 2023 (8 months) from the direct mailing campaign, there were 93 URPs prescreened and 38 URPs that completed a screening visit. An additional 29 URPs were prescreened after the minority specific media outlets, and 5 were screened. In comparison, from 2017‐2021, only 18 URPs were prescreened and 6 enrolled into AD research studies. Conclusion Our findings show that, direct mailings campaigns can be a highly effective recruitment tool for URP recruitment into AD research studies. The success of the direct mailing campaign was enhanced by utilizing additional methods of contact with the targeted URPs.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Impact of Hearing Loss and Its Treatment on Health-Related Quality of Life Utility: a Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

  Journal of General Internal Medicine · 2022-11-16 · 44 citations

  reviewOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Hearing loss significantly impacts health-related quality of life (QoL), yet the effects of current treatments on QoL utility remain uncertain. Our objective was to describe the impact of untreated and treated hearing loss on QoL utility to inform hearing healthcare policy. METHODS: We searched databases for articles published through 02/01/2021. Two independent reviewers screened for articles that reported elicitation of general QoL utility values for untreated and treated hearing loss health states. We extracted data and quality indicators from 62 studies that met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Included studies predominately used observational pre/post designs (61%), evaluated unilateral cochlear implantation (65%), administered the Health Utilities Index 3 (HUI3; 71%), and were conducted in Europe and North America (84%). In general, treatment of hearing loss improved post-treatment QoL utility when measured by most methods except the Euro-QoL 5 dimension (EQ-5D). In meta-analysis, hearing aids for adult mild-to-moderate hearing loss compared to no treatment significantly improved HUI3-estimated QoL utility (3 studies; mean change=0.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.07 to 0.14) but did not impact EQ-5D-estimated QoL (3 studies; mean change=0.0; 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.04). Cochlear implants improved adult QoL utility 1-year post-implantation when measured by the HUI3 (7 studies; mean change=0.17; 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.23); however, pediatric VAS-estimated QoL utility was non-significant (4 studies; mean change=0.12; 95% CI: -0.02 to 0.25). The quality of included studies was limited by failure to report missingness of data and low survey response rates. Our study was limited by heterogeneous study populations and designs. FINDINGS: Treatment of hearing loss significantly improves QoL utility, and the HUI3 and VAS were most sensitive to improvements in hearing. Improved access to hearing healthcare should be prioritized. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42021253314.

  PublisherDOI

• Validation of the Decision model of the Burden of Hearing loss Across the Lifespan (DeciBHAL) in Chile, India, and Nigeria

  EClinicalMedicine · 2022-06-17 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background: There is no published decision model for informing hearing health care resource allocation across the lifespan in low- and middle-income countries. We sought to validate the Decision model of the Burden of Hearing loss Across the Lifespan International (DeciBHAL-I) in Chile, India, and Nigeria. Methods: DeciBHAL-I simulates bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and conductive hearing loss (CHL) acquisition, SNHL progression, and hearing loss treatment. To inform model inputs, we identified setting-specific estimates including SNHL prevalence from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) studies, acute otitis media (AOM) incidence and prevalence of otitis-media related CHL from a systematic review, and setting-specific pediatric and adult hearing aid use prevalence. We considered a coefficient of variance root mean square error (CV-RMSE) of ≤15% to indicate good model fit. Findings: The model-estimated prevalence of bilateral SNHL closely matched GBD estimates, (CV-RMSEs: 3.2-7.4%). Age-specific AOM incidences from DeciBHAL-I also achieved good fit (CV-RMSEs=5.0-7.5%). Model-projected chronic suppurative otitis media prevalence (1.5% in Chile, 4.9% in India, and 3.4% in Nigeria) was consistent with setting-specific estimates, and the incidence of otitis media-related CHL was calibrated to attain adequate model fit. DeciBHAL-projected adult hearing aid use in Chile (3.2-19.7% ages 65-85 years) was within the 95% confidence intervals of published estimates. Adult hearing aid prevalence from the model in India was 1.4-2.3%, and 1.1-1.3% in Nigeria, consistent with literature-based and expert estimates. Interpretation: DeciBHAL-I reasonably simulates hearing loss natural history, detection, and treatment in Chile, India, and Nigeria. Future cost-effectiveness analyses might use DeciBHAL-I to inform global hearing health policy. Funding: National Institutes of Health (3UL1-TR002553-03S3 and F30 DC019846).

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Development and validation of DeciBHAL-US: A novel microsimulation model of hearing loss across the lifespan in the United States

  EClinicalMedicine · 2022-01-13 · 8 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Hearing loss affects over 50% of people in the US across their lifespan and there is a lack of decision modeling frameworks to inform optimal hearing healthcare delivery. Our objective was to develop and validate a microsimulation model of hearing loss across the lifespan in the US. METHODS: We collaborated with the Lancet Commission on Hearing Loss to outline model structure, identify input data sources, and calibrate/validate DeciBHAL-US (Decision model of the Burden of Hearing loss Across the Lifespan). We populated the model with literature-based estimates and validated the conceptual model with key informants. We validated key model endpoints to the published literature, including: 1) natural history of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), 2) natural history of conductive hearing loss (CHL), and 3) the hearing loss cascade of care. We reported the coefficient of variance root mean square error (CV-RMSE), considering values ≤15% to indicate adequate fit. FINDINGS: For SNHL prevalence, the CV-RMSE for model projected male and female age-specific prevalence compared to sex-adjusted National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data was 4.9 and 5.7%, respectively. Incorporating literature-based age-related decline in SNHL, we validated mean four-frequency average hearing loss in the better ear (dB) among all persons to longitudinal data (CV-RMSE=11.3%). We validated the age-stratified prevalence of CHL to adjusted NHANES data (CV-RMSE=10.9%). We incorporated age- and severity-stratified time to first hearing aid (HA) use data and HA discontinuation data (adjusted for time-period of use) and validated to NHANES estimates on the prevalence of adult HA use (CV-RMSE=10.3%). INTERPRETATION: Our results indicate adequate model fit to internal and external validation data. Future incorporation of cost and severity-stratified utility data will allow for cost-effectiveness analysis of US hearing healthcare interventions across the lifespan. Further research might expand the modeling framework to international settings. FUNDING: This study was funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and the National Institute on Aging (3UL1-TR002553-03S3 and F30 DC019846).

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant N01DC052103

  NIH · $2.3M · 1998

• NIH Grant N01DC082105

  NIH · $2.5M · 2001

• NIH Grant N01DC092401

  NIH · $1.2M · 1992

• NIH Grant N01DC022401

  NIH · $1.2M · 1995

• NIH Grant N01NS052396

  NIH · $1.0M · 1989

Frequent coauthors

• Dewey T. Lawson

  134 shared

• Debara L. Tucci

  National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

  78 shared

• Robert D. Wolford

  MED-EL (Austria)

  58 shared

• Enrique A. López-Poveda

  Universidad de Salamanca

  54 shared

• Reinhold Schatzer

  MED-EL (Austria)

  47 shared

• Richard S. Tyler

  46 shared

• Jan Kiefer

  42 shared

• J. M. Müller

  42 shared

Labs

• Duke Biomedical EngineeringPI

Awards & honors

• 2015 Russ Prize
• 2013 Lasker~DeBakey Award
• Distinguished Alumni Award from the Pratt School of Engineer…
• Distinguished Alumni Award from Duke University (2019)
• Member of the USA’s National Academy of Engineering