How older adults use context to understand speech in noisy environments
Official title: Neural Mechanisms Underlying Linguistic Context Use for Speech Processing in Aging
Funded at Mcmaster University · NIH-11158602 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how older adults understand speech in noisy places, like restaurants, and how their brains help them fill in the blanks when they can't hear everything clearly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mcmaster University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hamilton, Canada) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $316,106 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020961-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11158602 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing challenges with speech comprehension, particularly in noisy environments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience age-related hearing difficulties or those with significant cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how older adults comprehend speech, particularly in challenging environments with background noise, like restaurants. It explores the cognitive mechanisms that allow them to use linguistic context to fill in gaps in understanding, despite potential impairments in predictive processing. By employing advanced neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to measure brain responses while participants listen to continuous speech in both quiet and noisy settings, providing insights into their speech processing strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of speech comprehension in older adults, leading to improved communication strategies and interventions for those with hearing difficulties.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding speech processing in younger adults, but this approach focusing on older adults is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Mcmaster University
Hamilton, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brodbeck, Christian — Mcmaster University
- Study coordinator: Brodbeck, Christian
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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.