Understanding how the brain processes sounds in noisy environments
Official title: Top-down modulation of the dorsal cochlear nucleus
Funded at Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-11061880 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains help us hear important sounds better, even when there's a lot of background noise, which could help people with hearing difficulties understand sounds more clearly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tempe, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $498,176 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021671-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061880 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing auditory processing disorders or hearing loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with normal auditory processing and no hearing issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain uses contextual information to enhance the perception of sounds, particularly in challenging auditory environments filled with background noise. By focusing on the dorsal cochlear nucleus, the study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that allow the brain to filter and prioritize important sounds. The approach involves examining the connections between different parts of the auditory system to understand how top-down signals influence sound processing. This could lead to new insights into improving hearing accuracy for individuals with auditory processing disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing auditory perception in individuals with hearing loss or auditory processing disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding auditory processing through similar approaches, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Tempe, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balmer, Timothy S — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Balmer, Timothy S
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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.