Nico

Nicolas Vannson

Hearing Data Scientist | Ph.D. in Auditory Neuroscience

I’m a former audiologist who moved into data science to turn clinical complexity into actionable intelligence. After more than a decade working with hearing‑impaired patients and leading quantitative research, I founded Hearing Data Science in 2025 to help audiology organizations improve patient care through advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI‑driven decision support.

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Projects

Data Science projects

HDS logo

Hearing Data Science

Designed and built a full SaaS analytics platform for hearing‑care networks, turning multi‑clinic data into real‑time dashboards, predictive models, and operational KPIs used by clinicians and managers.

Architecture: FastAPI · Streamlit · Next.js · PostgreSQL · Docker ·
CI/CD Analytics: Pandas · Scikit‑learn · Prophet · Feature engineering · Forecasting

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Predictions

Predicting NBA Player Value

Built a machine‑learning pipeline to identify the metrics that best predict NBA players’ future value, performed feature selection to isolate the most influential variables, and exposed the results through an interactive Flask interface.

Flask · Scikit-learn · Pandas · Seaborn · Scipy

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DS

Confidential company

Conducted annual income analysis to identify anomalous patterns and model future revenue trajectories. Applied statistical outlier detection and Prophet forecasting, with results presented in a Streamlit interface.

Prophet · Streamlit · Pandas · Seaborn

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ML

Garbage Detection — Computer Vision

Computer vision project comparing three approaches to garbage detection: a PyTorch model, a TensorFlow/Keras model, and a manually implemented neural network. Demonstrates end‑to‑end training, evaluation, and model comparison.

Pytorch · TensorFlow · Numpy

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fMRI

fMRI Timeseries Analysis — Unilateral Hearing Loss

Brain‑image analysis of patients with unilateral hearing loss, focusing on fMRI timeseries extraction, preprocessing, and correlation with behavioral performance. Explored functional patterns associated with auditory asymmetry.

Matlab

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Binaural

Binaural Hearing — Speech‑in‑Noise Prediction

Regression analysis of patients with unilateral hearing loss to model and predict speech‑in‑noise performance. Explored relationships between auditory asymmetry, behavioral measures, and predicted listening capability.

Matlab

See project

Web projects

WEB MEMAU

MEMAU — Educational platform for audiology training

Designed and deployed a pedagogical platform supporting final‑year audiology students, integrating a structured resource library, interactive questionnaires, and basic statistical tools.
Built the site architecture, optimized navigation, and implemented custom modules to support learning workflows and project supervision.

WordPress · Divi · UX design · Content architecture

Website
WEB MEMAUDATA

MEMAUDATA — Web platform for analyzing audiology questionnaires

Developed a dedicated platform to process and analyze audiological questionnaires initially available only in paper form and subsequently digitized on MEMAU. Built the end‑to‑end data flow, implemented custom JavaScript processing modules, and designed an interface supporting student research and clinical interpretation

WordPress · JavaScript · Data processing

Website
ESC

Enfants sourds du Cambodge

Developed and managed the NGO’s website to highlight field work, strengthen member recruitment, and facilitate fundraising efforts that enable the delivery of hearing devices and batteries to deaf children during missions in Cambodia.

WordPress · Content architecture · Web design

Website
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Publications

Publications in journals with a peer‑review committee

  • Mazet, M., Enzler, F., Strelnikov, K., & Vannson, N. (2026). Pediatric speech‑in‑noise audiometry tests with standardized background noise: Systematic review of the literature. European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases.
  • Hee, A., & Vannson, N. (2025). Impact of visual impairment on audiovisual intelligibility in noise. Canadian Acoustics, 53(4).
  • Berger, T., & Vannson, N. (2025). Assessment of psychological distress and thymia in newly fitted presbyacusic patients. Revue de Gériatrie, 50(2), 77–85.
  • Gransagne, C., & Vannson, N. (2024). Comparison of Class I and Class II hearing aids in patients with severe hearing loss. Canadian Acoustics, 52(3).
  • Brazeau, P., Spella, P., & Vannson, N. (2024). Evaluation of the evolution of cognition in presbycusis patients. Revue de Gériatrie, 49(5), 273–282.
  • Mandin, C., Spella, P., & Vannson, N. (2024). Study of the impact of hearing aid rehabilitation on self‑esteem in presbycusis patients with first‑time hearing aids. Revue de Gériatrie, 49(2), 83–94.
  • Alzaher, M.*, Vannson, N.*, Deguine, O., Marx, M., Barone, P., & Strelnikov, K. (2021). Brain plasticity and hearing disorders. Revue Neurologique, 177(9), 1121–1132.(*Co‑first author).
  • Vannson, N., Strelnikov, K., James, C. J., Deguine, O., Barone, P., & Marx, M. (2020). Evidence of a functional reorganization in the auditory dorsal stream following unilateral hearing loss. Neuropsychologia, 149, 107683.
  • Vannson, N., James, C., Fraysse, B., Strelnikov, K., Deguine, O., Marx, M., & Barone, P. (2017). Speech‑in‑noise perception in unilateral hearing loss: Relation to pure‑tone thresholds and brainstem plasticity. Neuropsychologia, 102, 135–143.
  • Vannson, N. (2016). Unilateral hearing loss: Psychoacoustic, quality of life questionnaires and neuroimaging (fMRI) approaches (Doctoral dissertation). Université Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier.
  • Vannson, N., James, C., Fraysse, B., Strelnikov, K., Barone, P., Deguine, O., & Marx, M. (2015). Quality of life and auditory performance in adults with asymmetric hearing loss. Audiology and Neurotology.
  • Vannson, N., Innes‑Brown, H., & Marozeau, J. (2015). Dichotic listening can improve perceived clarity of music in cochlear implant users. Trends in Hearing.

Publications in journals without a peer‑review committee

  • Hee, A., & Vannson, N. (2025). Impact de la déficience visuelle sur l’intelligibilité audiovisuelle dans le bruit. Les Cahiers de l’Audition, 38(4).
  • Vannson, N., Innes‑Brown, H., & Marozeau, J. (2018). L’écoute dichotique chez un sujet implanté cochléaire peut améliorer la perception de la clarté de la musique. Revue ACFOS, 60.
  • Deguine, O.,* Vannson, N.*, Molinier, C., Marx, M., Lescure, B., & Barone, P. (2014). Évaluation du handicap perceptif après surdité unilatérale : évaluation psychoacoustique et qualité de vie. Annales françaises d’Oto‑rhino‑laryngologie et de Pathologie Cervico‑faciale.(*Co-first author).
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Selected talks & presentations

  • 02/2026. Thomas More University College - Antwerp - Belgium. Unilateral hearing loss
  • 11/2025. Online training presentation - France. Audiovisual integration
  • 03/2025. Online training presentation - Switzerland. Audiovisual integration
  • 01/2025. U. of Louvain (Marie Haps) - Brussels - Belgium. Unilateral hearing loss
  • 12/2020. Regional professional meeting of Audiologists and speech therapists - Toulouse - France. Audiological evaluations
  • 11/2019. AFON - Dijon - France. Evaluation of the perceptual handicap after unilateral hearing loss. Psychoacoustic and fMRI approaches
  • 06/2017. Poster. Neuroscience and Music VI - Boston - USA. Evaluation of the perceptual handicap after unilateral hearing loss. Psychoacoustic and fMRI approaches
  • 09/2015. 1st Otology and Neurotology French association conference day - Paris- France. Evaluation of the perceptual handicap after unilateral hearing loss. Psychoacoustic and fMRI approaches
  • 07/2015. Poster - CIAP. Lake Tahoe, CA - USA. Evaluation of the perceptual handicap after unilateral hearing loss. Psychoacoustic and Quality of life approaches
  • 04/2015. 6th International audiology workshop - Clermont-Ferrand - France. Evaluation of the perceptual handicap after unilateral hearing loss. Psychoacoustic and Quality of life approaches
  • 10/2014. ENT National French congress - Paris - France. Evaluation of the perceptual handicap after unilateral hearing loss. Psychoacoustic and Quality of life approaches
  • 10/2012. BRAMS - Montreal - Canada. Enhancement of music perception for cochlear implant recipients
  • 08/2012. Bionics Institute - Melbourne - Australia. Inner hair cell innervation from confocal images
  • 05/2012. The Music Performance and Perception Research Day - Sydney - Australia. Enhancement of music perception for cochlear implant recipients
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Teaching – Supervision

Teaching

  • Since 2025 – Toulouse Business School (TBS).
    Courses: Basic and advanced Python.
    Students: Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics.
  • 2013-2025 – University of Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier.
    Courses: Statistics, Audiology, Research Methods (final year project).
    Students: Audiologists and Speech Therapists (since 2020).
  • 2018–2020 – University of Lille II.
    Courses: Statistics & Research Methods (final year project).
    Students: Audiologists.

Supervision

  • Since 2018 – University of Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier.
    Supervision of more than 25 final‑year projects (Audiology & Speech Therapy).
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Awards/fundings

  • 2020. French National Research Agency (ANR) – AgeHear Project – €200,000 Research Grant
  • 2017. National PhD Prize in Auditory Sciences – First Prize – Neurodis Foundation – €5000 Research Grant
  • 2016. Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Erasmus Mundus Scholarship – €15,000
  • 2015. First Prize – PhD Award of the University of Toulouse III – €500
  • 2015. Regional Finalist – “My 3‑Minute Thesis” Competition – Midi‑Pyrénées,Toulouse, France
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Hobbies

hobby

Sports

Handball/football/Skiing/Snowboarding/Bouldering/squash

hobby

Associative

Founder of both MEMAU & MEMAUDATA
Webmaster & Data scientist of Enfants Sourds du Cambodge

hobby

Other

Homebrewer and improvisationh