How the brain adapts to different levels of sound in noisy environments.
Official title: Cortical mechanisms for contrast gain control in auditory perception in noise.
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11069780 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains help us hear important sounds, like conversations, even when there's a lot of background noise, and it focuses on specific brain cells that play a key role in this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DC022507-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11069780 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing challenges with hearing or auditory perception, particularly in noisy environments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with normal hearing who do not experience difficulties in auditory perception may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the auditory system adjusts to varying levels of background noise to help us better perceive important sounds, like speech. It focuses on the primary auditory cortex and examines how specific types of neurons, known as parvalbumin-positive and somatostatin-positive interneurons, contribute to this adaptation process. By using advanced techniques like electrophysiological recordings, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow our brains to enhance or diminish our sensitivity to sounds based on the surrounding auditory environment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for individuals with hearing difficulties in noisy settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding auditory processing mechanisms, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zeliger, Omer — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Zeliger, Omer
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.