Dr. Wittich’s research domains include basic sensory science, as well as medical, psychosocial, and rehabilitation approaches to sensory loss. Coming from a background in age-related vision loss, he now conducts research in dual sensory impairment and deaf-blindness. Specifically, he examines the use and usability of assistive technologies intended to improve quality of life and social participation of older adults with sensory impairment.

Originally from Germany, Dr. Wittich pursued a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Psychology (Concordia U) and a PhD in Visual Neuroscience (McGill). He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in audiology at the Centre de recherche of the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal. He became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry in 2011 and in 2012 was certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals as Quebec’s first Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT).

2023 - en cours: Étude longitudinale canadienne sur le vieillissement - Groupe de travail clinique; Membre de l'équipe consultative - Mesures de la vision / 2023 – ongoing: Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging -  Clinical Working Group; Advisory Team member - Vision Measures

2021  Comité évaluation scientifique, Université de Montréal Doctorat - Bourses d'excellences ESP 2021-2022

2021 Comité - nomination professeurs – Hiring Committe   Professeur en orientation & mobilité

2021  Comité - nomination professeurs – Hiring Committe  Professeur en soins oculaires

2020   Comité évaluation scientifique, Université de Montréal Doctorat - Bourses d'excellences ESP 2020-2021

2018  Bourse de mobilité - Evaluation Committee, MSc, internal ranking École d’optometrie, Université de Montréal, Committee Member

2018   Fellowship Evaluation Committee, PhD – NSERC, internal ranking  École d’optometrie, Université de Montréal, Committee Member

2018   Fellowship Evaluation Committee, Master’s level: Comité d’évaluation des bourses d’excellence de la FESP (maîtrise), Committee Member

2017 - now Scientific Committee & Organizing Committee, 19e Symposium scientifique sur l’incapacité visuelle et la réadaptation; Chair

2016 -2022  Fellowship Evaluation Committee, PhD - Bourses d’excellence de la Faculté    des études supérieures et postdoctorales 2016-2017, Committee Member

2016 – present  Admissions Interview Committee – Clinical Master’s in Vision Science program (Low Vision, Rehabilitation Therapy, Orientation & Mobility), Chair École d’optometrie, Université de Montréal.

2016 – 2019  Master’s degree internal review committee, School of Optometry, University of Montreal

2015– 2017  Admissions Interview Committee – Orientation & Mobility DESS program École d’optometrie, Université de Montréal. Committee Member

2015 – 2018 Admissions Interview Committee – Doctoral degree in OptometryÉcole d’optometrie, Université de Montréal. Committee Member

2015 - present  Scientific Committee – Harland Sanders Chair for Vision Science École d’optometrie, Université de Montréal. Committee Member

Directeur de programme - Maîtrise en sciences de la vision, option Intervention en déficience visuelle (anglais et français) 

https://admission.umontreal.ca/programmes/maitrise-en-sciences-de-la-vision-option-intervention-en-deficience-visuelle-anglais/

May 2021 – Aug. 2022 Zakia Hammouni, Ph.D. Title: Vers un environnement inclusif du Campus de l’Université de Montréal: Une étude exploratoire; Funding: l’Université de Montréal – operating funds

Sept 2019 – April 2023 Atul Jaiswal, Ph.D. Preparing the Canadian health care system to meet the needs of older adults with vision and hearing impairments and their caregivers Funding: CIHR Health Systems post-doctoral fellowship ($ 155,000 over 2 yrs); FRQ-S post-doctoral fellowship ($ 135,000 over 3 yrs - partially declined)

Sept 2020 – June 2021 Shikha Gupta, Ph. D. Title: Exploring employment, education and technology use outcomes for Canadians who are blind, deafblind, partially sighted or hearing impaired, using the Canadian Survey on Disability; Funding: FRQS - Quebec Vision Health Research grant, FRQS Reseau de recherche en santé de la vision Recruitment Fellowship ($ 8,000)

Feb 2018 - Jan 2020 Andrea Urqueta Alfaro, Ph.D. Title: Early detection of sensory impairment (vision and hearing) at font-line health services: A study to examine standardized assessments in older adults; Funding: CRIR fellowship ($20,000 over 1 yr), INLB fellowship ($ 30,000 over 1 yr) & Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging

Oct. 2017 – Sept. 2018 Anni Marjukka Hämäläinen, Ph.D. Title: The interactions of sensory, cognitive and social factors and their influence on the health and quality of life of older Canadians; Funding: CIHR Catalyst grant & RQRV supplement

June 2014 – Mar. 2015 Florian Grond, PhD (Co-Supervisor) Department of Psychology, Concordia University; Title: Audible Pointers from the Real World: A Guidance System for Blind and Sighted Shoppers in the MALL, Funding: CRIR Post-doctoral fellowship ($ 15,000)

June 2013 – July 2015  Sarah Fraser, PhD (Co-supervisor) School of Social Work, McGill University, Title: Qualitative assessments of older adults with acquired sensory impairment, Funding: Quebec Ministry of Family & Aging grant

Maîtrise en sciences de la vision, option Intervention en déficience visuelle:

Ongoing: Bonheur Noella TWAHIRWA, Supervisor (w/ N. Martiniello and J. Nemargut); Title: Feasibility of tele-rehabilitation for guide dog users receiving orientation and mobility services; Funding: none

Ongoing: Mark Agyenim BOATENG, Supervisor (w/ N. Martiniello and J. Nemargut); Title: Feasibility of tele-rehabilitation for guide dog users receiving orientation and mobility services; Funding: none

Ongoing: Jessica RATHWELL, Supervisor (w/ Natalie Martiniello); Working Title: contemporary braille technology; Funding: Bourse de maitrise pour les candidates ou candidats Canadiennes non-redidents du Quebec ($ 9,167)

Ongoing: Amanda LATULIPE, Supervisor (with Aaron Johnson); Title: The Effects of Fixation Stability on Balance Confidence; Funding: none

Ongoing: Hamidreza ARMINPARVIN, Supervisor (with C. Auger & J. Renaud); Working Title: Scoping review of vision rehabilitation follow-up techniques; Funding: none

Ongoing: Leif HENRICHS, Supervisor (with C. Auger & J. Renaud); Working Title: Scoping review of vision rehabilitation follow-up techniques; Funding: Bourse de maitrise pour les candidat(e)s Canadiens non-résidents du Québec, Faculté des Études supérieures et postdoctorales, Université de Montréal ($ 8,900)

Dec 2023: Fereshteh KHODAYARI, Supervisor (with N. Martiniello & J. Nemargut); Title: Development of a decision tree for O&M tele-rehabilitation; Funding: none

Dec 2023: Mina ESLAHI, Supervisor (with N. Martiniello & J. Nemargut rgut); Title: Development of a decision tree for O&M tele-rehabilitation; Funding: none

Dec 2023: Muhammad Ismail KHAN, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: WHO ICF development of a core set for deafblindness: Survey with professionals; Funding: none

Dec 2023: Ali JAFARI, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Developing a core set for deafblindness using the WHO ICF; Funding: none

Dec 2023: Mohammad Sina KOKABIAN, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: WHO ICF development of a core set for deafblindness: Survey with professionals; Funding: none

April 2023: Gauri PATEL, Supervisor – discontinued; Funding: Bourses conjointes l'École d'optométrie (ÉOUM) et les Études supérieures et postdoctorales (ESP) de l'Université de Montréal 2020-2021 $ 4,500; CCNA operating funds

Feb. 2023: Muneeb ULLAH, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal) – discontinued; Title: WHO ICF development of a core set for deafblindness: Survey with professionals; Funding: none

Dec. 2022: Rebecca AMAR, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Tele-healthcare for older adults with sensory loss: Perspectives for hearing and eye care providers in Canada; Funding: none

Dec. 2022: Vanessa SOLDANO, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Tele-healthcare for older adults with sensory loss: Perspectives for hearing and eye care providers in Canada; Funding: none

Dec. 2022: Eghonghon Juliet IBHAZE-BAROR, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Exploring the profile and training needs of Long-Term Care staff assisting older residents with dual sensory impairment; Funding: $ 11,560 tuition remission fellowship - Bourse de maîtrise pour les candidates ou candidats canadiens non-résidents du Québec – science de la vision

Dec. 2022: Sila KARACOVA, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Exploring the profile and training needs of Long-Term Care staff assisting older residents with dual sensory impairment; Funding: none

Dec 2021: Chantal KREIDY, Supervisor; Title: Understanding the impact of face masks on the use of echolocation for persons with visual impairments during COVID-19: International cross-sectional survey, Funding: none

June 2021: Emilie PAROLIN, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Depression among Individuals with Acquired Vision impairment - Causes, Factors influencing, and impact on Quality of life, Funding: none

June 2021: Talar TCHERKEZIAN, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal) Title: Depression among Individuals with Acquired Vision impairment - Causes, Factors influencing, and impact on Quality of life; Funding: none

Doctorat en Optometrie (1^e cycle)

April 2023 Samuel Coté, Supervisor, Title: Aides optiques pour l’albinisme: quels sont les impacts visuels qui subsistent et quelles solutions pourraient y répondre?

April 2023 Jérémie Boulanger, Supervisor; Title: Aides optiques pour l’albinisme: quels sont les impacts visuels qui subsistent et quelles solutions pourraient y répondre?

April 2023 Virginie Boudreau, Co-Supervisor (with L. Michaud): Title: Les optométristes et la sensibilisation au don de cornée au Québec

April 2023 Florence Jobin, Co-Supervisor (with L. Michaud) Title: Les optométristes et la sensibilisation au don de cornée au Québec

August 2021 Samuel Coté, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal) - Summer research internship 2^nd year undergraduate Optometry student; Title: Development of the WHO ICF core set for deafblindnessFunding: FdeRC – University of Montreal, Optometry ($ 4,500)

Apr. 2022 Fatima Tangkhpanya, B.Sc. – Supervisor; Title: The reading rehabilitation of older adults with low vision: an investigation of the usability of the OrCam MyEye 2.0 as a reading assistive device; Funding: FdeRC – University of Montreal, Optometry ($ 4,500)

June 2021 Alexandra Laplante Co-Supervisor (with E. Bitton); Title: Endettement des étudiants en optométrie au Canada

June 2021 Gabrielle Hurteau Co-Supervisor (with E. Bitton) Title: Endettement des étudiants en optométrie au Canada

June 2021 Stephanie Huang – Supervisor; Title: La relation entre les facteurs reliés aux parents et aux professionnels de la santé et la communication chez les enfants et jeunes adultes atteints de surdicécité et de déficience cognitive : une revue de portée

June 2021 Geneviève Major – Supervisor; Title: La relation entre les facteurs reliés aux parents et aux professionnels de la santé et la communication chez les enfants et jeunes adultes atteints de surdicécité et de déficience cognitive : une revue de portée
August 2019 Fatima Tangkhpanya – Supervisor (Summer research internship) 2^nd year undergraduate Optometry student; Title: Maternal Sensitivity and Attachment in Children with Visual Impairment Funding: FdeRC – University of Montreal, Optometry ($ 4,500)

June 2019 Roxanne Arsenault, Co-Supervisor (with E. Bitton) Title: Is Dry Eye a Consideration by Optometrists Treating Low Vision Patients?

June 2019 Genevieve Bournonniere-Sirard, Co-Supervisor (with E. Bitton) Title: Is Dry Eye a Consideration by Optometrists Treating Low Vision Patients?

August 2018 Fatima Tangkhpanya – Supervisor (Summer research internship) 1^st year undergraduate Optometry student; Title: The rehabilitation of older adults with low vision: The importance of cognition and hearing status to ensure rehabilitation success; Funding: FdeRC – University of Montreal, Optometry ($ 4,500)

May 2018 Lorie St.-Amour, Supervisor; Title: The audibility of low vision devices with speech output used by older adults with dual sensory impairment

Apr. 2017 Diana Brindina, Supervisor; Doctorate in Optometry, School of Optometry, University of Montreal; Title: L'iPad comme aide technique pour les activités quotidiennes en bassevision

Apr. 2017 Myriam Nadeau, Supervisor; Title: L'iPad comme aide technique pour les activités quotidiennes en basse vision

Apr. 2017 Ariane Labonte Boyer, Supervisor; Title: L'iPad comme aide technique pour les activités quotidiennes en basse vision

Apr. 2017 Mylene Leger, Supervisor; Title: L'iPad comme aide technique pour les activités quotidiennes en basse vision

Apr. 2017 Cassie Anne Ellis, Supervisor; Title: La comparaison de différents niveaux de luminance et de leurs effets sur le seuilde lecture et la préférence en lecture de patients normaux et en déficience visuelle à l’aide de l’appareil LuxIQ

Apr. 2017  Catherine Rondeau, Supervisor; Title: La comparaison de différents niveaux de luminance et de leurs effets sur le seuilde lecture et la préférence en lecture de patients normaux et en déficience visuelle à l’aide de l’appareil LuxIQ

June 2021 – ongoing Caroline Gravel, Co-supervisor (with Prof. Dr. Markus Dederich) Doctoral student, Faculty of Human Sciences; Department of Therapeutic Education & Rehabilitation Science; University of Cologne, Germany [Universität zu Köln; Bereich Heilpädagogik & Rehabilitationswissenschaften] Title: Deafblindness, Technology and Participation [Taubblindheit, Technik und Teilhabe]

Sept. 2020 – ongoing Jana Martin, Co-supervisor (with Prof. Andrea Wanka) Doctoral student, Fakultät für Erziehungs- und Sozialwissenschaften [Faculty of Education and Social Sciences], Heidelberg University of Education, GermanyWorking Title: Vocational rehabilitation in deafblindness/dual sensory impairment [Berufliche Rehabilitation bei Taubblindheit/Hörsehbehinderung]

May 2020 Gabrielle Aubin – Supervisor (B.Sc. Honors in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Montreal) Title: Sensory and cognitive changes in older adults completing a low vision rehabilitation intervention

Dec. 2014 Jessica Wilson, Co-Supervisor (w/ Aaron Johnson) B.A. Student, Department of Psychology, Concordia University

June 2014  Christina Nadon, Co-Supervisor (w/ Aaron Johnson) B.A. Honors Student, Department of Psychology, Concordia University

July 2011 Maria Martinez, Summer research internship (12 weeks), Baccalauréat en science biomédical, University of Montreal

PhD

Membre du jury 2019 - Candidate: Simona Manescu, Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal; Title: Chemosensory perception in sighted and blind populations, Supervisors: Franco Lepore & Johannes Frasnelli

Membre du jury November 2017 – Candidate: Sébrina Aubin, Sciences neurologiques, Université de Montréal, Title: L’influence de la cécité sur le rythme circadien et le sommeil, Supervisor : Maurice Ptito

MSc. - Recherche

Membre du jury: 2020 October – Candidate: Ismaël Djerourou, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Title: Navigation spatiale avec des systèmes de substitution sensorielle tactiles dans la cécité précoce et tardive

Membre du jury: 2017 April – Candidate: Michèle MacLean, Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, maîtrise en psychologie, Title: Novel methods to evaluate blindsight, study the effects of cholinergic stimulation on training and perceptual learning, and develop rehabilitation strategies for hemianopic patients using MRI and tACS

Président du jury: 2016 March – Candidate: Robyn Pakdaman Lahiji, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Masters in Vision Science, Title: Assessing the transfer of video game play versus attention training using 3D-Multiple Object Tracking

M.Sc. Clinique

Examinateur de thèse: April 2019 – Candidate: Danny Riszk, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Clinical Masters in Vision Rehabilitation, Title: The Impact of Smart Speakers as Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVAs) on Functionally Blind Individuals

Examinateur de thèse: December 2018 – Candidate: Olivia Souaid, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Clinical Masters in Vision Rehabilitation, Title: The Effect of Fixation Stability on Balance in Older Adults with and without Age-Related Macular Degeneration using the Cave Automated Virtual Environment

Examinateur de thèse: March 2016 – Candidate: Christina Nadon, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Clinical Masters in Vision Rehabilitation, Title: Investigating the link between age-related macular degeneration and mild cognitive impairment as a function of drusen characteristics

2023     18th International World Conference 2023 of Deafblind International, Ottawa, ON Session Moderator: Vison and Hearing Loss in Long-Term Care: Interprofessional Contributions to Integrated Care to Address Sensory-based Communication Barriers Session Moderator: The Virtual World: An Opportunity or Threat for Persons with Disabilities; Keynote given by Tom Shakespeare

2023     ARVO Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA Session Moderator: Low vision and comorbidity

2022     10th Canadian Optometry School Research Conference (COSRC), Montreal, QCSession Moderator: Low Vision and Rehabilitation; Optics and Contact Lenses

2022     CCNA Partners Forum and Science Days 2022 (virtual) Keynote Moderator for “Exploring the structural determinants of health in Canada: Considerations for research on dementia in racialized communities” by Ingrid Waldran, PhD.

2022     Vision 2020⁺² - 13^th International Conference by the International Society for Low Vision; Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR), Dublin, Ireland Symposium Moderator: Combined vision and hearing impairment – Exploring topics on aging and acquired sensory losses Symposium Moderator: Challenges and Successes in the Rehabilitation of Early-onset combined vision and hearing loss

2022     MC and Host: 2022 June 14, Rehabilitation Scientific Day of the Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Center CIUSSS West Central - Create a scientific culture of empowerment in rehabilitation

2021  International Federation on Ageing – 15^th Global Conference on Ageing “Rights Matter”; Niagara Falls, Ontario Symposium Moderator - Sensory health in long-term care homes: Improving communication and social interaction with residents to facilitate care quality

2021     2021 Partners Forum and Science Days, Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging Panel moderator – Equity, diversity and inclusion of lived experiences in dementia research: The path behind and the road ahead

2021     Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology (ARVO), San Francisco, CA; virtual Networking Session Moderator of the Low Vision Cross-sectional Group:

Title: Networking around the effects of COVID-19: How have you been affected, how have you adjusted, how can we help each other?

Title: The future of assistive technology and where do we go from where we are now?

Title: Networking around upcoming and emerging themes: training the next generation, changes in needs and profiles, and other undiscovered topics…

Session Moderator of the Low Vision Cross-sectional Group Session Title: Technologies for visual enhancement in 2020 and beyond

2021     Les réunions virtuelles 2021 du Réseau de recherche en santé de la vision; La 25e Réunion annuelle du Reseau Vision (Jan. 29 2021) Moderator for Plenary Speaker session - Aurélie Calabrèse, Keynote

2020     Think Tank on Hearing in Later Life – International Federation on Ageing Session Moderator: Hearing Loss – The Lived Experience

2020     Deafblind International Webinar: “Living with Deafblindness in a New Reality” https://www.deafblindinternational.org/conferences/dbi-webinars/ Online MC and Host, 26 hours of content, June 22-26 2020 during Deafblind Awareness Week

2020     Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology (ARVO), Baltimore, MD Session Moderator of the Low Vision Cross-sectional Group Session Title: Technologies for visual enhancement in 2020 and beyond

2020     20e Symposium sur la déficience visuelle et la réadaptation MC and Host, Montreal, QC

2019     17th Deafblind International World Conference, August 2019, Gold Coast, Australia Session Moderator: Research ForumSession Moderator: Family Forum Pre-conference Workshop Moderator

2019     Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology (ARVO), Vancouver, BCSession Moderator: Cross-sectional session: “The effects of mesopic light levels on vision and functional activities”

Ahmed S, Ataman R, McKerral M, Roberge-Dao J, Auger C, Wittich W, Talla PK, Boychuck Z, Thomas A. (in press Sept 26^th 2023). Response to Letter to the Editor on: "Measurement Properties of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory (MPAI-4) and related measures: A Systematic Review", Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2023.08.015

Bitton, E., Jones, G. & Wittich, W. (in press September 25^th 2023). Financial inequities in Optometric Education in Canada: A comparison of two optometry programs, Optometry & Vision Science DOI: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000002072

Bethell, J., Andrew, M.K., Mick, P., Morgan, D.G., O’Connell, M.E., Phillips, N., Steward, S. Walker, J.D., Wittich, W., & McGilton, K.S. (in press Sept 5^th 2023). Does social connection mediate the association between neuroticism and cognition? Cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, Aging & Mental Health https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2252369

*Ogedengbe, T.O., Sukhai, M., & Wittich, W. (accepted August 17^th 2023). Towards Identifying Gaps in Employment Integration for People Living with Vision Impairment: A Scoping Review, WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation

*Paramasivam, A., *Jaiswal, A., Budhiraja, S., Holzhey, P., *Santhakumaran, P., *Ogedengbe, O.T., *Martin, J., *Das, S., *Côté, S., Hassid, R., James, T.G Kennedy, B., Tang, D., Tran, Y, Colson-Osbourne, H., Che, M.L.C., Minhas, R., Granberg, S., & Wittich., W. (in press July 17^th 2023). The development of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for deafblindness Part I: A systematic review of outcome measures identified in deafblindness research, European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 59 https://doi.org/10.23736/S1973-9087.23.07890-5

Downey, R., Gagné, N., Mohanathas, N., Campos, J.L., Pichora-Fuller, K.M., Bherer, L., Lussier, M., Phillips, N., Wittich, W., St-Onge, N., Gagné, J.-P., Karen Li. K. (2023). At-home computerized executive-function training to improve cognition and mobility in normal-hearing adults and older hearing aid users: A multi-centre, single-blinded randomized controlled trial, BMC Neurology, 23, 378 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-023-03405-1

Mick, P.T. Kabir, R., Pichora-Fuller, M. K., Jones, C., Moxham, L., Phillips, N., Urry, E., & Wittich, W. (2023) Associations between cardiovascular risk factors and audiometric hearing: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, Ear & Hearing, 44(6), 1332-1343, November/December. DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001370

Wittich, W., Boie, N.R, & Jaiswal, A. (2023). Methodological approaches to obtaining informed consent when conducting research with individuals living with deafblindness, SPECIAL ISSUE “Accessibility and Inclusion: Advancing the Use of Qualitative Research Methods for All” in the International Journal of Qualitative Methods,22, 1-11 https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205176

Wittich, W., Kröger, E., *Aubin, G., Fadhlaoui, A., Anderson, N., Bengaied, N., Itzhak, I., & Belleville, S. for the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) CAN-THUMBS UP Study Group. (2023). Using co-creation focus groups to customise a remote multidomain programme designed to increase dementia literacy, BMJ Open, 13(9), e074555, https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/9/e074555

Ataman, R., Thomas, A., Roberge-Dao, J., McKerral, M., Auger, C., Wittich, W., Kengne Talla, P., Boychuck, Z., & Ahmed, S. (2023). Measurement Properties of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory (MPAI-4) and related measures: A Systematic Review, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 104(8), 1300-1313 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2022.12.196

Al-Yawer, F., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Wittich, W., Mick, P., Giroud, N., Rehan, S., & Phillips, N. (2023). Sex-specific Interactions Between Hearing and Memory in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Findings from the COMPASS-ND Study, Ear & Hearing, 44(4), 751-767 DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001322

Howard H. Feldman, S. Belleville, H. B. Nygaard, M. Montero-Odasso, J. Durant, J.-L. Lupo, C. Revta, S. Chan, M. Cuesta, P. J. Slack, S. Winer, P. W. H. Brewster, S. M. Hofer, A. Lim, A. Centen, D. M. Jacobs, N. D. Anderson, J. D. Walker, M. R. Speechley, G. Y. Zou, H. Chertkow & Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), CAN-THUMBS UP Study Group ¥ (2023). Protocol for the Brain Health Support Program Study of the Canadian Therapeutic Platform Trial for Multidomain Interventions to Prevent Dementia (CAN-THUMBS UP): A prospective 12-month intervention study, Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2023.65

¥ CCNA CAN-THUMBS UP Study Group - Block Authorship: Co-Principal Investigators: Howard Chertkow, Sylvie Belleville, Howard Feldman, Manuel Montero-Odasso, Haakon Nygaard; Steering Committee members: Nicole Anderson, Sarah Banks, Samir Das, Carol Evans, Guylaine Ferland, Joyla Furlano, Scott Hofer, Inbal Itzhak, Diane Jacobs, Pamela Jarrett, Andrew Lim, Chris McGibbon, Karen Messer, Carolyn Revta, Julie Robillard, Eric Smith, Mark Speechley, Jennifer Walker; Other Site Principal Investigators: Michael Borrie, Kenneth Rockwood; CTU Study Operations Team: Paul Brewster, Andrew Centen, Marc Cuesta, Senny Chan, January Durant, Tatiana Herold, Nellie Kamkar, Jody-Lynn Lupo, Yanina Sarquis-Adamson, Penelope Slack, Amal Trigui, Shahnaz Winer; BHPro Content Contributors: Fatim Ajwani, Anas Alrohimi, Nicole Anderson, Geneviève Arsenault-Lapierre, *Gabrielle Aubin, Sylvie Belleville, Jennifer Bethell, Louis Bherer, Maude Bouchard, Mark Boulos, Jacqueline Burt, Asif Javed Butt, Richard Camicioli, Jennifer Campos, Julie Carrier, Alison Chasteen, Howard Chertkow, Rachel A. Crockett, Marc Cuesta, Danielle D’Amico, Véronique Daneault, Thanh Dang-Vu, Alex Desautels, Caroline Desrosiers, *Shirley Dumassais, Emily Dwosh, Gillian Einstein, Margaret Fahnestok, Ryan Stanley Falck, Howard Feldman, Guylaine Ferland, Alexandra Fiocco, Christine Gagnon, Jean-François Gagnon, Liisa Galea, Aravind Ganesh, Nicole Gervais, Brigitte Gilbert, Nadia Gosselin, Catherine-Alexandra Grégoire, Tatiana Herold, Stephanie Huang, Catherine Hughes, Inbal Itzak, Raed Joundi, Heather Keller, Elizaveta Klekovkina, Kim Lasnier-Le Quang, Danielle Laurin, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, *Marie-Céline Lorenzini, Dominique Lorrain, Kaljani Mahalingam, Sarantia Samantha Maltezos, Brooklyn Mankasingh, Roger Marple, Susan Marzolini, Samira Mehrabi, Paul Mick, Laura Middleton, Tatiyana Mollayeva, Manuel Montero-Odasso, Annabelle Moore, Aline Moussard, Reanne Mundadan, Kelly Murphy, Leigh-Anne M. Noltie, Haakon Nygaard, JB Orange, *Emilie Parolin, Natalie Phillips, Kathy Pichora-Fuller, Lori Piquette, Jason Plaks, Ron Postuma, Avery Pratt, Maria Natasha Rajah, Helli Raptis, Kayla Regan, Anne Julien-Rocheleau,  Marie Y. Savundranayagam, Penny Slack, Eric Smith, Mark Speechley, Kylie Sullivan, Munira Sultana, *Fatima Tangkhpanya, *Talar Tcherkezian, Anne-Julie Tessier, Lynn Valeyry Verty, Amanda Wagner, Walter Wittich, Stephanie Yamin, Anthonio Zadra;

Kengne Talla, P., Thomas, A., Ataman, R., Auger. C., McKerral, M., Wittich, W., Poncet, F., & Ahmed, S. (2023). Evaluating the implementation of the Mayo-Portland adaptability inventory -4 (MPAI-4) in three rehabilitation settings in Quebec: A mixed-methods study protocol, BMJ Open, 13:e068866 http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068866

*Gupta, S., *Jaiswal, A., Sukhai, M., & Wittich, W. (2023). Hearing disability and employment: A population-based analysis using the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, Disability & Rehabilitation, 45(11), 1836-1846https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2076938

Abraham, A., Hong, C., Deal, J., Bettcher, B., Pelak, V., Gross, A., Jiang, K., Swenor, B. & Wittich, W. (2023). Are cognitive researchers ignoring their senses? The problem of sensory deficit in cognitive aging research, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(5), 1369-1377 http://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18229

Stark, Z., Morrice, E., Murphy, C., Wittich, W. & Johnson, A. (2023). The effects of simulated and actual visual impairment on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition, 30(4), 523-535 https://doi.org/10.1080/13825585.2022.2055739

*Aubin, G., Phillips, N., *Jaiswal, A., Johnson, A., Joubert, S., Bachir, V., Kehayia, E. & Wittich, W. (2023). Visual and cognitive functioning among older adults with low vision before vision rehabilitation, Frontiers in Psychology – Cognition, 14, 1058951 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1058951

*Jaiswal, A., *Gupta, S., *Paramasivam, A., *Santhakumaran, S., Holzhey, P., Dupont, P. & Wittich, W. (2023). Continuum of Care for Older Adults with Concurrent Hearing and Vision Impairment: A Systematic Review, Innovations in Aging, 7(1), igac076 https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igac076

Guthrie, D.M, Williams, N., *Jaiswal, A., Mick, P., O’Rourke, H.M., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Wittich, W., & Sutradhar, R. (2022). Prevalence of sensory impairments in home care and long-term care using interRAI data from across Canada, BMC Geriatrics, 22, 944 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03671-7

Phillips, N., Isler, L., Kabir, R., *Hämäläinen, A., Wittich, W., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., & Mick, P. (2022). Hearing and visual acuity predict cognitive function in adults aged 45-85 years Findings from the baseline wave of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), Psychology & Aging, 37(8), 891-912 https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000716

*Kreidy, C., Martiniello, N., Nemargut, J. & Wittich, W. (2022). How Face Masks Affect the Use of Echolocation by Individuals With Visual Impairments During COVID-19: International Cross-sectional Online Survey, Interactive Journal of Medical Research, 11(2): e39366  http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/39366

*Bleau, M., *Jaiswal, A., Holzhey, P. & Wittich, W. (2022). Applications of additive manufacturing or 3D printing in the rehabilitation of individuals with deafblindness: a scoping study, SAGE Open, 12(3), 1-15 https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221117805

Wittich, W., Damen, S., & Nicholas, J. (2022). Living with deafblindness in a new reality: An international webinar to facilitate global knowledge translation, British Journal of Visual Impairment, 40(3), 487–499 https://doi.org/10.1177/02646196211002887

*Martiniello, N., Barlow, M. & Wittich, W. (2022) Exploring correlates of braille reading performance in working-age and older adults with visual impairments, Scientific Studies of Reading, 26(4), 267-286 https://doi.org/10.1080/10888438.2021.1969402

Guthrie, D.M., Williams, N., Campos, J., Mick, P., Orange, J.B., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Savundranayagam, M.Y., Wittich, W., & Phillips, N.A. (2022). A newly identified impairment in both vision and hearing increases the risk of deterioration in both communication and cognitive performance. Canadian Journal on Aging, 41(3), 363–376 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980821000313

Mamali, F.C., *Lehane, C.M., Wittich, W., *Martiniello, N., & Dammeyer, J. (2022). What Couples Say about Living and Coping with Sensory Loss: A qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses, Disability & Rehabilitation, 44(12), 2784–2805 https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1850889

*Martiniello, N. & Wittich, W. (2022). The association between tactile, motor and cognitive capacities and braille reading performance: a scoping review of primary evidence to advance research on braille and aging, Disability & Rehabilitation, 44(11), 2515–2536 https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1839972

• Research internship for a visually impaired student, "Good News - Spring 2021", Habilitas Foundation. https://online.fliphtml5.com/ksth/zpkf/#p=12