Understanding how older adults hear in noisy environments
Official title: Functional spatial segregation in auditory scene analysis
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11041122 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how older adults and people with hearing loss can better understand speech in noisy places, and it will explore how hearing aids might help them focus on conversations despite the background noise.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | March 3, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $483,378 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020514-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11041122 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing age-related hearing loss or individuals with hearing impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with normal hearing or those who do not experience difficulties in noisy environments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the challenges that older adults and those with hearing impairments face when trying to understand speech in noisy settings. It employs a combination of behavioral tests and brain activity measurements to explore how well these individuals can separate different sounds. The study also examines how hearing aids can help improve their ability to focus on specific voices amidst background noise. By identifying the neural mechanisms behind age-related hearing difficulties, the research aims to enhance communication strategies for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved hearing aids and communication strategies that significantly enhance speech understanding for older adults and those with hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding auditory processing in older adults, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ozmeral, Erol James — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Ozmeral, Erol James
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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.