Using brain stimulation to improve speech understanding in noisy environments for older adults
Official title: Transcranial stimulation combined with auditory training
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11055097 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special brain stimulation technique can help older adults with hearing difficulties understand speech better in noisy places, making it easier for them to join in conversations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $443,657 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC021763-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055097 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those with hearing loss or difficulties understanding speech in noisy settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience challenges with speech understanding in noisy environments or who are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how transcranial stimulation can help older adults better understand speech in noisy environments, particularly those with hearing difficulties. The study aims to combine this brain stimulation technique with auditory training to see if it can enhance speech intelligibility and reduce the effort required to follow conversations. Participants will undergo non-invasive stimulation while engaging in auditory training exercises, with the goal of improving their communication skills in challenging listening situations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the ability of older adults to understand speech in noisy environments, enhancing their quality of life and social interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that transcranial stimulation can improve speech understanding in younger adults, suggesting potential for success in older populations as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roverud, Elin — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Roverud, Elin
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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.