Understanding how the brain improves hearing skills through practice
Official title: Corticofugal contributions to auditory perceptual learning
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-10873095 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $38,820 |
| NIH project number | 5F31DC021355-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10873095 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adults with hearing difficulties or those interested in improving their auditory skills.
✕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 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.
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 gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding auditory learning mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ying, Rose — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Ying, Rose
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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.