How hearing differences affect sound perception as we age
Official title: Effects of asymmetries on binaural-hearing abilities across the lifespan
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11061113 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how having different hearing abilities in each ear affects older adults' ability to understand speech in noisy places, helping us learn more about the challenges they face as they age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $219,177 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DC021825-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061113 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who experience varying degrees of hearing loss and asymmetries in their hearing abilities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under 21 years old or those with normal hearing without any asymmetries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how differences in hearing ability between the two ears impact the ability to understand speech in noisy environments, particularly as people age. It focuses on older adults, especially those over 65, who may experience hearing loss and asymmetries in their hearing thresholds. By collecting data from a diverse group of participants, the study aims to uncover the relationship between age, hearing asymmetries, and challenges in speech perception. Advanced machine learning techniques will be employed to analyze the data and generate new insights into these auditory processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for helping older adults better understand speech in noisy settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding binaural hearing can significantly impact auditory processing, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goupell, Matthew J. — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Goupell, Matthew J.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.