Investigating how the brain processes speech in noisy environments for people with normal hearing.
Efferent Auditory Measurements during Continuous Attended Speech in Normal Hearing Listeners With and Without Speech-in-Noise Deficits
This study is looking into why some people with normal hearing have trouble understanding speech when there's a lot of background noise, and it aims to find out how the brain helps us filter out that noise, which could lead to better ways to help those who struggle in noisy environments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10874479 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research explores why some individuals with normal hearing struggle to understand speech in noisy settings. It focuses on the efferent auditory pathway, which may help filter out background noise, and examines how this pathway interacts with the brain's processing of speech. By measuring both pre-neural and neural responses to speech, the study aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms of speech-in-noise difficulties. This could lead to better diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for those affected.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who experience difficulties with speech perception in noisy situations but have normal hearing sensitivity.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience speech-in-noise difficulties or those with diagnosed hearing impairments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment options for individuals who have trouble understanding speech in noisy environments despite having normal hearing.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this research is novel, there is limited evidence suggesting that similar investigations into the efferent auditory pathway have shown promise in understanding speech-in-noise perception.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Spencer — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Smith, Spencer
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 below.