Auditory Processing and Pediatric Listening Lab

Gustafson's

Auditory Processing and Pediatric Listening Lab

The Auditory Processing and Pediatric Listening (APPL) lab conducts research aimed at improving our understanding of communication challenges faced by school-age children with and without hearing loss.

About the Lab

Research conducted in the APPL lab aims to improve our understanding of communication challenges faced by school-age children with and without hearing loss. We use a combination of subjective, behavioral, and electrophysiologic methods to learn about listening effort, attention allocation, and the effects of intervention (e.g., hearing aids, remote microphones) on communication. Results from our work provide valuable information to audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and teachers of children with hearing loss about environmental and child-specific characteristics that contribute to communication breakdowns.

Our Mission

We believe that hearing loss should not keep children and adolescents from fully experiencing their social and academic potential. Our mission is to conduct original research that improves our understanding of communication challenges faced by children in classrooms. As such, we seek to:

  1. Understand how childhood hearing loss and its associated interventions (e.g., hearing aids, remote microphones) influence the successful development of listening skills needed for academic success,
  2. Convey our research findings to the community,
  3. Involve undergraduate and graduate students in the research process to inspire future researchers and assist in the training of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and deaf educators.

Current Studies

    Listening

    What makes listening hard work?

    Have you ever noticed that following a conversation in a noisy restaurant or airplane can be tiring? We know that children experience a similar type of ‘effortful listening’ when listening in their classrooms. We are evaluating different environmental characteristics that make listening challenging. In this study, participants are asked to listen and repeat words and to tell us how they feel when they are listening. Adults and children who have typical hearing are invited to participate in this study. 

    Distractions

    What happens when we are distracted?

    Imagine trying to follow a conversation in a really busy environment that is full of distractions. We are interested in how people resist and recover from distractions when trying to listen. In this study, participants are asked to judge sounds they hear through earphones while we measure their brain responses. Brain responses are recorded from a net of tiny sponges worn on the head. Adults who have typical hearing are invited to participate in this study. 

    Cochlear Implants Reduce Fatigue

    Can cochlear implants reduce listening-related fatigue? 

    Adults and children with hearing loss face repeated listening challenges and communication stress that can lead to listening-related fatigue. We are interested in understanding if listeners with hearing loss who receive a cochlear implant experience less listening-related fatigue than those who do not. In this study, participants are asked to complete a series of surveys about listening-related fatigue at various times during their pre- and post- surgery appointments. Adults and children (ages 6+ years) with hearing loss are invited to participate in this study. 

    Teamwork

    Teamwork makes the dream work! 

    Children with hearing loss are served by a variety of professionals in the school system. Educational audiologists and teachers of the deaf are two of the most important service providers for school-age children with hearing loss. Using a survey, we are interested in understanding what works and what does not work for these professionals when collaborating to serve children with hearing loss. Educational audiologists and teachers of the deaf are invited to participate in this study. 

    Lab Members

    Director

    Graduate Students

    Loren Nelson

    AuD

    Casey Vanderveld

    AuD

    Elsa Newsome

    AuD

    Taylor Enochson

    AuD

    Faith Dryden

    AuD

    Undergraduates

    Emily Quigley

    Undergrad

    Jennica Neilson

    Undergrad

    Ava Matthews

    Undergrad

    Juliette Jensen

    Undergrad

    Megan Kunz

    Undergrad

    Interested in participating?

    If you are interested in enrolling yourself or your child in our studies, please complete this form, email us, or call us at 801-213-0860.

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

      WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

      If you are interested in enrolling yourself or your child in our studies, please complete this form or contact us directly.

      WHERE IS THE LAB LOCATED?

      The lab is located on the 12th floor of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Building on the main campus of the University of Utah.

      Address
      380 1530 E, Rm 1210
      Salt Lake City, UT 84112

      WHERE SHOULD WE PARK?

      During your research visit, parking is free of charge. You can park in the Marriott Library/Campus Store lot with the code that is given to you by the research team.

      Marriott Library/ Campus Store Parking Lot
      100 1500 E,
      Salt Lake City, UT 84112

      HOW WILL I OR MY CHILD RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR PARTICIPATION?

      Payment is administered differently for each study. For some studies, you will be asked to fill out a payment form and you should expect to receive a check in the mail within six weeks after your visit. For other studies, you or your child will receive cash.

      WILL MY CHILD MISS SCHOOL IF I DECIDE TO ENROLL THEM IN A STUDY?

      No, we would prefer that your child did not miss school for any research visits. Lab personnel are able to complete research visits every day of the week, including evenings and weekends. We do our best to work with each family’s busy schedule. Please let us know how we can best work with your family’s schedule.

      Contact Us

      Phone: 801-213-0860

      APPLlab@utah.edu

      Behavioral Health Science

      380 1530 E, Rm 1210
      Salt Lake City, UT 84112

      Directions

      Behavior Health Science Building