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Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Lab Research

The Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience (ACN) Lab conducts research on hearing and speech perception, as well as the disorders (e.g., hearing loss, tinnitus) associated with them. Our research aims to improve hearing health and apply scientific discoveries to real-world challenges. We study the auditory system across the lifespan, investigating its connections to neuroplasticity and cognitive functions.

Under the leadership of Dr. Lars Rogenmoser, the Auditory Neuroscience Lab investigates the biopsychological mechanisms behind auditory (dys)functions, with a focus on music and language. A central focus of our work is understanding how hearing health influences the brain, through research involving diverse populations, including musicians and individuals with hearing disorders (e.g., tinnitus and hearing loss).

This is done by using a combination of computational modeling, brain imaging experiments, and behavioral experiments. Computational modeling allows for the generation of detailed, elaborate computer programs that simulate auditory and speech perception in the brain, specifically the cerebral cortex. The modeling allows us to describe the essence of a phenomenon being studied and to make testable predictions. The predictions made by the model are tested using behavioral and imaging tools.

We use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to obtain detailed images of the structure and function of the brain, in particular, to investigate the differences between patient populations and healthy controls.

How the Brain Processes Sound

Our Principal Investigator is Dr. Fatima T. Husain, Ph.D., of the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Participants are needed for two research studies investigating the tinnitus (ringing in the ears) in adults.

We are looking for healthy adults between the ages of 21-64, who have normal hearing without tinnitus, normal or corrected-to-normal vision, with no history of neurological psychological illness (except for depression or anxiety for which they are currently taking medications), no chronic health problems and no history of drug or alcohol abuse. If interested, please contact us.

We are looking for healthy adults between the ages of 21-64, who have hearing loss and tinnitus, normal or corrected-to-normal vision, with no history of neurological psychological illness (except for depression or anxiety for which they are currently taking medications), no chronic health problems and no history of drug or alcohol abuse. If interested, please contact us.

Part 1 is a detailed hearing exam, questionnaires, and behavioral tests will be part of Part 1. It will take place at SHS, 901 S. For Part 2, we will use MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to obtain images of the brain while the participants are listening to sounds. This experiment will take place at the Biomedical Imaging Center, part of the Beckman Institute at 405 N. Mathews Ave.

Below is a list of publications from the lab:

  • Xu, C., Cheng, F. Y., Medina, S., Eng, E., Gifford, R., & Smith, S.B. (2023).
  • Xu, C., Cheng, F. Y., Eng, E., Medina, S., & Smith, S.B. (2023). Frequency following responses to simulated bimodal speech: Acoustic bandwidth effects. Proceedings of the Meeting on Acoustics.
  • Eng, E., Xu, C., Medina, S., Cheng, F. Y., Gifford, R., & Smith, S.B. (2022).
  • Smith, S.B. (2022). Translational applications of Machine Learning in Auditory Electrophysiology. In Seminars in Hearing 43(03), 240-250.
  • Cone, B. K., Smith, S.B., & Smith, D. E. C. (2022).
  • Cheng, F. Y. & Smith, S.B. (2022). Objective detection of the speech frequency following response (sFFR).
  • Cheng, F. Y., Xu, C., Gold, L., & Smith, S.B. (2021).
  • Xu, C., Cheng, F. Y., Medina, S., & Smith, S.B. (2021).
  • Cheng, F. Y., Xu, C., Goodall, H., Ornelas, M. E., Gold, L., & Smith, S.B. (2021).
  • Thompson, E.C., Estabrook, R., Krizman, J., Smith, S.B., Huang, S., White-Schwoch, T., Nicol, T., & Kraus, N. (2021).
  • Madrid, A. M., Walker, K. A., Smith, S. B., Hood, L. J., & Prieve, B. A. (2021).
  • Smith, S. B., & Cone, B. (2021).
  • Kornguth, S., Rylander, H. G., Smith, S., Campbell, J., Steffensen, S., Arnold, D., ... & Rutledge, J. N. (2021).
  • So, W., & Smith, S. B. (2020).
  • Kessler, D. M., Ananthakrishnan, S., Smith, S. B., D’Onofrio, K., & Gifford, R. H. (2020).
  • D’Onofrio, K.L., Limb, C., Caldwell, M., Smith, S.B., Kessler, D.M., Gifford, R.H.
  • Smith, S., & So, W. (2019).
  • D'Onofrio, K., Smith, S.B., Kessler, D., Williams, G., & Gifford, R. (2019).
  • Burrick, H., Suneel, D., Chole, R., Buchman, C., Smith, S.B., Lee, C., Hancock, K.E., Long, G.R., Dhar, S., Ortmann, A.J., Ward, B.K., Lichtenhan, J.T. (2019). On the origins of physiologic modulation of a low-noise microphone in a human ear canal. In Valente, M. & Valente, M. (2nd Ed.) Adult Audiology Casebook.
  • Smith, S.B., Krizman, J., Liu, C., White-Schwoch, T., Nicol, T., & Kraus, N. (2019).
  • Kraus, N. & Smith, S.B.
  • Smith, S. B., Ichiba, K., Velenovsky, D. S., & Cone, B. (2017).
  • Smith, S.B., Lichtenhan, J. T., & Cone, B. K. (2017).
  • Filippini, R., Smith, S.B., & Musiek, F. E. (2017).
  • Cone, B., Smith, S.B., & Cheek, D. (2017).
  • Smith, S.B., Lichtenhan, J., & Cone, B. (2016).
  • Smith, S.B. & Cone, B.K. (2015).
  • Smith, S.B. & Musiek, F.
  • Smith, S.B. & Musiek, F.