Understanding how the brain processes complex sounds
Official title: Modeling the effects of binaural midbrain coding and efferent gain control on the perception of complex sounds
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11086575 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our ears and brains work together to understand complicated sounds, and it will help both people with normal hearing and those with hearing loss learn more about how we hear and process sounds in different situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $78,040 |
| NIH project number | 5F32DC022143-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086575 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with normal hearing and those with hearing impairments who experience difficulties in understanding complex sounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with profound hearing loss who do not benefit from auditory processing or assistive devices may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the auditory system encodes complex sounds by developing computational models that can predict auditory processing data from various techniques and species. It aims to integrate multiple aspects of auditory processing, including peripheral filtering and binaural integration, to better understand how masking occurs in complex sounds. The study will focus on both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners, providing insights into how different factors influence sound perception.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved auditory processing models that enhance the design of assistive hearing devices.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in modeling individual stages of auditory processing, but this integrated approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guest, Daniel — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Guest, Daniel
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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.