Auditory Gating in Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

For this study, we are assessing brain function involved in passively gating or filtering out unimportant sound.  Testing consists of two sessions: a 1-hour hearing evaluation for which the participant receives a complimentary hearing evaluation provided by a state-licensed audiologist, and a 2-hour EEG session for which the participant receives monetary compensation for their time.  During the EEG session, participants watch a movie of their choice (muted with subtitles) while sounds are played.  Adults (18 years and older) with normal hearing, hearing loss, and tinnitus (the perception of ringing or sounds in the ears) are invited to participate.  For more information and to enroll, please e-mail centralsensoryprocess.lab@gmail.com.

This work is funded by the American Tinnitus Association. 

Visual EEG Patterns and Cognition

The purpose of this study is to observe how the brain processes different types of visual information over the lifespan, and whether the EEG responses to that visual information are related to how we perform on visual cognitive tasks, such as spatial awareness and reading.  Testing consists of two sessions: a 1-hour EEG session during which different visual patterns are presented, and a 2-hour behavioral session where IQ and aspects of reading and spatial awareness are evaluated.  Monetary compensation is provided at each session to compensate for the participant’s time.  Children aged 5-18 years and adults 18 years and older are invited to participate.  Individuals with reading disorders are also welcome to take part.  For more information and to enroll, please e-mail centralsensoryprocess.lab@gmail.com. 

COVID-19 Effects on Hearing Loss and Tinnitus 

Our lab is interested in studying individuals who have contracted COVID and have either acquired or experienced worsening hearing loss and/or tinnitus. We will be testing individuals who were previously tested in the lab, then contracted COVID. We will be measuring hearing status by a complete audiogram, speech perception in noise, otoacoustic emissions, and auditory gating.