Understanding how the brain processes sounds in different contexts
Official title: Top-down mechanisms underlying contextual and adaptive processing in the auditory system
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10986454 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains help us hear better in noisy places, like when sounds are mixed up or hard to hear, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how we make sense of the sounds around us every day.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $137,305 |
| NIH project number | 1K99DC021582-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986454 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing hearing loss or difficulties in understanding speech in noisy settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with normal hearing and no auditory processing issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the auditory system adapts to complex and changing sound environments. It focuses on the brain's ability to use contextual information to enhance the perception of sounds, especially when they are degraded or masked by other noises. By examining the connections between different brain regions, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow for improved auditory processing. This could lead to a better understanding of how we hear and interpret sounds in our daily lives.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for hearing loss and better auditory processing strategies for individuals in noisy environments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding auditory processing through similar approaches, indicating that this study builds on established knowledge in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lesicko, Alexandria Marie — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Lesicko, Alexandria Marie
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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.