Understanding how we hear pitch in noisy places
Complex pitch perception in complex environments
This project explores how people hear different sounds and pitches, especially in noisy settings, and how this changes with age or hearing loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132707 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our ability to hear pitch is crucial for understanding speech and music, and for picking out important sounds from background noise. This project looks at how our brains process pitch and why it becomes harder to hear clearly as we get older or experience hearing loss. We are conducting studies with adults who have normal hearing and those with hearing loss, as well as with infants, to understand how pitch perception develops and changes over time. We also use advanced brain imaging to see how different parts of the brain respond to pitch.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation would include adults with normal hearing, adults with hearing loss, and infants, as described in the project.
Not a fit: Patients whose hearing issues are unrelated to pitch perception or who do not fit the age groups specified may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to better ways to help people with hearing loss, including those with cochlear implants, to hear pitch more clearly.
How similar studies have performed: While the fundamental questions about pitch perception remain, previous research has explored aspects of auditory processing, and this project aims to build on that knowledge with a cohesive set of questions.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oxenham, Andrew J. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Oxenham, Andrew J.
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 below.