Nina Kraus and the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory Research
Nina Kraus, PhD, is a pioneering researcher and thought leader in the study of the neurobiology of auditory learning, speech, and music perception.
She brings extensive experience and insight to her role on the AHRF Research Committee.
Currently the Director of Brainvolts Auditory Neuroscience Lab at Northwestern University, she also is Hugh Knowles Professor of Communication Sciences, Neurobiology and Otolaryngology.
Kraus is a scientist, inventor, and amateur musician who uses hearing as a window into brain health.
She holds her PhD from Northwestern University and her BA from Swarthmore College.
The Complexity of Hearing
Hearing isn’t a simple, self-contained activity-but just the opposite. Processing sound is among the most difficult tasks our brains perform. And how we process sound influences so many aspects of our lives-from our ability to read, to our social interactions, to our risk of dementia in later life.
AHRF seed grants give researchers the start they need to explore new ideas in unraveling the complexity of hearing and its role in our lives.
Research Focus
More specifically, her research focuses largely on understanding neurobiologic processes underlying speech perception and brain plasticity.
She began her career measuring responses from single auditory neurons and was one of the first to show that the adult nervous system has the potential for reorganization following learning.
These insights in basic biology galvanized her to investigate sound processing in the brain in humans.
Through a series of innovative studies involving thousands of research participants from birth to age 90, her research has found that our lives in sound and our experiences-for better (musicians, bilinguals) and for worse (concussion, language disorders, aging)-shape how our brain makes sense of the sounds we hear.
The End Goal
The end-goal of Kraus’ years of research is to improve human communications by applying our knowledge of neuroplasticity in the classroom, in our healthcare system, and in society at large.
Using the principles of neuroscience to improve human communication, she advocates for best practices in education, health, and social policy.
Key Takeaway
The Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory’s research underscores the profound impact of auditory experiences on brain function and highlights the potential for interventions to improve communication and cognitive health across the lifespan.