How background noise affects the brain's ability to understand speech

The impact of noise on temporal integration of speech in the human brain

NIH-funded research University of Rochester · NIH-10995425

This study is looking at how our brains understand speech when there's background noise, and it's for anyone interested in how we hear and make sense of conversations in busy places.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-10995425 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the human brain integrates speech information in the presence of background noise. By using advanced techniques like scalp and intracranial EEG, the study aims to understand the varying timescales at which the brain processes speech under different auditory conditions. The researchers will employ a novel method called the temporal context invariance (TCI) paradigm to measure how background noise influences auditory processing. This could provide insights into the complexities of speech comprehension in real-world environments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with normal hearing who experience challenges understanding speech in noisy settings.

Not a fit: Patients with profound hearing loss or those who are unable to participate in EEG recordings may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing speech understanding in noisy environments, benefiting individuals with hearing difficulties.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding auditory processing, but this approach using the TCI paradigm is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.