How Spatial Hearing Helps Us Listen Better in Noise as We Age
Official title: From Brainstem to Cortex: How Spatial Hearing Supports Listening Across the Lifespan
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11441898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how the brain uses space to separate sounds and helps people hear in noisy places, especially as we get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | July 20, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $203,125 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC024094-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11441898 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older, particularly those experiencing age-related hearing challenges or interest in neural processing of sound.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals under 21 or those without hearing or aging-related listening difficulties may be less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how our brain processes where sounds come from, from the brainstem to the cortex, to understand why some people have trouble in noisy environments as they age. They will measure brain responses (ERPs) while young adults listen for a speech sound amid background babble, comparing scenarios where sounds come from different locations versus the same location. The study aims to see how aging and hearing loss influence these neural processing steps over the lifespan. Findings could reveal why older adults struggle more in noisy settings and guide future strategies to improve everyday listening.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of how spatial hearing changes with age could lead to improved auditory aids and training to help people hear in noisy places.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that spatial cues aid speech perception and that brain responses reflect this processing, but lifespan changes are not fully understood.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zobel, Benjamin H. — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Zobel, Benjamin H.
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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.