Understanding how the brain improves hearing skills through practice

Corticofugal contributions to auditory perceptual learning

NIH-funded research Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-10873095

This study looks at how practicing listening skills can help the brain get better at recognizing sounds, which could be really helpful for people with hearing difficulties.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (College Park, United States)
Project IDNIH-10873095 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how practice can enhance the brain's ability to detect and discriminate sounds, a process known as auditory perceptual learning. It focuses on the role of the auditory cortex and its connections to other brain regions in improving skills like language acquisition and music appreciation. By studying these neural pathways in animal models, the research aims to uncover how training can strengthen the brain's response to auditory stimuli, which could ultimately benefit individuals with hearing impairments. The study employs advanced techniques to monitor brain activity during learning tasks.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children and adults with hearing difficulties or those interested in improving their auditory skills.

Not a fit: Patients with normal hearing who do not experience difficulties in auditory perception may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for individuals with hearing impairments, enhancing their ability to understand speech and sounds.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding auditory learning mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

College Park, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.