Vidya Krull, Ph.D., CCC-A
Principal Scientist | Human-Centered Healthcare Innovation
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Executive Summary
Principal‑level hearing technology scientist and audiologist with 20+ years of experience driving next‑generation health solutions from concept through global product launch. Recognized for translating complex behavioral data into commercially scalable hearing‑device innovations, with deep expertise in speech perception, amplification systems, psychoacoustics, and human‑centered device design. Former Senior Research Scientist at GN Hearing, leading cross‑disciplinary R&D teams in the evaluation and validation of advanced hearing‑aid algorithms and user‑comfort technologies. Inventor of five device patents with sustained impact on personalization and digital health integration.
Core Expertise
- Behavioral Research: Multimodal physiological and behavioral data, Hearing-aid amplification and device acoustics, Speech perception and auditory cognition, Spatial hearing and psychoacoustics, Hearing loss and aging, including wearables and biomarkers
- Research & Product Development: Clinical research and evidence generation, Human-subject validation, Translational research for medical devices, Cross-functional R&D leadership, Product innovation and technology evaluation
- Innovation & Impact: Hearing-device patents and intellectual property, Industry-academic research partnerships, Strategic technology assessment, Scientific communication and stakeholder engagement
Patented Technologies
Inventor of 5 hearing-device patents (3 granted) covering device geometry, acoustic systems, and configurable hearing architectures.
- Krull, V. & Dittberner, A. (2023). Hearing devices and methods of making the same. US11570561B2
- Krull, V. (2021). Device and method for earpiece design. US20210334439A1
- Dittberner, A.B., & Krull, V. (2021). Acoustic Device. US10924837B2
- Krull, V. (2020). Hearing device and manufacturing method thereof. JP2020109950A
- Krull, V. (2019). Configurable hearing devices. US11418865B2
Professional Experience
Senior Research Scientist | GN Hearing A/S • August 2013 - January 2023 • Glenview, IL
- Designed and led algorithm validation studies (proof-of-concept) for three generations of feedbackcancellation and spatial-audio algorithms, supporting the key feature release and product launch of ReSound ONE with M&RIE in 2020. Product deployed across EMEA, APAC, and North America; launch contributed to 14% organic growth
- Designed and led user validation studies and supervised a Master’s student internship project investigating novel finite element modeling solutions for comfort measurement of hearing devices; Research supported new hearing protection product line development and launch, spawning a specialized independent brand, GN FalCom, in 2019
- Led cross-functional R&D team (acoustics, hardware, signal processing) validating vibration-sensor own-voice reconstruction, adopted into the core signal-processing architecture used in ReSound Vivia (2025); Technology contributed to 31% divisional profit growth through improved speech-in-noise performance
- Provided strategic recommendations to executive leadership on cognitive health product
opportunities, influencing R&D direction for emerging vocal and digital biomarker programs to operate across multi-generation product platforms. Recommendations contributed to the formation of a new health tech unit — Brainworks, GN’s first preventive and awareness platform connecting hearing and brain health
Led a program on the assessment of cognitive load and stress related to hearing in noise, including the assessment of heart rate variability as a marker for cognitive load using wearables
- Directed multidisciplinary and global research teams (US, DK, NL) across diverse hearing health portfolios
- Communicated science routinely to a diverse audience; In addition to peer-reviewed internal publications and presentations, served as Editor for the internal web-based communication platform for GN’s Research team, serving to communicate program and project scope, status, and findings to a variety of internal stakeholders, including non-technical
Assistant Chair for Research and Innovation, Clinical Assistant Professor | Northwestern University -Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders • January 2024 - current • Evanston, IL
- Directed clinical education and research training initiatives within a nationally recognized audiology program
- Secured federal funding supporting translational research and community-based hearing health programs - applied for $2+ million in federal and foundation research funding as PI or Co-Investigator, building industry-academic research partnerships - established partnerships with 13 federally funded clinical research and engineering labs across Northwestern University and Northwestern Medicine as part of the proposed R25 for a 5-year partnership plan to build a talent development pipeline
- Developed a funding proposal and co-built a multi-institutional research consortium; Primary Investigator, NIA R43/R44, SBIR Fast-Track, establishing partnerships across 3 universities and 1 industrial partner to secure federal funding to advance auditory health technologies and technology translation
- Led multi-site training network involving 50+ students and 30+ clinical partner organizations
- Oversaw doctoral capstone research portfolio spanning clinical innovation, hearing technology, and community health for 50+ students
Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications*
- Krull, V. & Humes, L. E. (2016). Text as a supplement to speech in young and older adults. Ear and Hearing, 37(2), 164-176.
- Krull, V., Humes, L. E., & Kidd, G. R. (2013). Reconstructing wholes from parts. Ear and Hearing, 34(2), e14-e23.
- Humes, L.E. and Krull, V. (2012). Evidence about Effectiveness of Hearing Aids for Adults. In (Wong, L., Hickson, L. eds.) Evidence-Based Practice in Audiology: Evaluating Interventions for Children and Adults with Hearing Impairment (pp 61-92). Plural Publishing, San Diego.
- Krull, V., Luo, X., and Kirk, K.I. (2012). Talker-identification training using simulations of binaurally combined electric and acoustic hearing: Generalization to speech and emotion recognition. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 131(4), 3069-3078.
- Krull, V., Choi, S., Kirk, K.I., Prusick, L., and French, B. (2010). Lexical effects on spoken word recognition in children with normal hearing. Ear and Hearing, 31, 1, 102-114.
- Full publication list available upon request; public data available via Google Scholar.
Selected Talks and Translational Presentations
- Krull, V. and Dittberner, A.B. (2018, October). Connected Audiology and the Changing Hearing Healthcare Landscape. Scientist panel presentation at the Canadian Academy of Audiology.
- Krull, V. (2018, February). Exploring User Comfort: Toward a Universal Comfort Rating Scale. Invited talk at RUSH Ear Day, RUSH University, Chicago, Illinois.
Education
- PhD, Hearing Science (minor: Neuroscience), Purdue University
- Master of Science, Audiology, Purdue University
- Bachelor of Pharmacy, First class with distinction, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra