How our own speech changes what we hear in the brain
Official title: High-resolution functional imaging of speech-induced sensory modulation
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11378545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses brain imaging to understand how speaking alters how we hear sounds, aiming to map the brain circuits involved in speech and listening.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $514,604 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020963-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older with a focus on auditory and speech processing.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy adults without speech or hearing concerns may participate in some tasks but may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will use high-resolution MRI at 7T to look at brain activity while people speak and listen, building a detailed model of how predictive brain signals influence auditory processing. The study combines EEG, MEG, and ultra-high-field MRI across multiple sessions to identify specific brain regions and pathways involved in speech-induced sensory modulation. By charting these circuits, the work hopes to clarify why speaking can dampen auditory responses and how this affects communication. This could pave the way for better understanding and treatment of speech and hearing disorders in adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could improve diagnoses and therapies for speech and hearing disorders by revealing how the brain predicts and processes self-generated speech.
How similar studies have gone: Previous non-invasive imaging work has shown SIS, and this project builds higher-resolution mapping to extend those findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bohland, Jason W — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Bohland, Jason W
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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.