Steacie Supplement: Audiological and Cognitive Assessment Equipment, and Equipment for fMRI studies

我的受训者、合作者和我研究的是认知因素，这些因素有助于在具有挑战性的听力环境中呈现语言时，例如当有相互竞争的说话者或背景噪音时，促进对语言的感知。我们研究了年轻和年长参与者的认知能力和听力之间的复杂相互作用，并使用了行为和神经成像方法。我请求资金支持这个由NSERC资助的研究项目的三个关键部分。首先，我们需要认知测试设备，让我们能够表征参与者的认知能力，这样我们就可以将认知功能的个体差异与对噪音中语音的理解联系起来。其次，我们需要的设备能够比我们现有的纯音听力计对听觉功能进行更全面的评估，评估更符合听力学的最佳实践。这一设备还将使我们能够表征耳蜗增益和调谐的个体差异，这对听觉感知组织至关重要，因此可能与噪声中语音理解的个体差异有关。该设备不会与大学内部的现有资源重复。最后，我们需要为我们的神经成像计划购买关键设备。这种设备旨在取代现有的过时和不适当的设备，对于将在我担任Steacie研究员期间进行的功能磁共振研究是必不可少的。使用这种设备培训的高素质人员将获得认知神经科学方法以及听力学和神经心理学评估方面的适销对路的知识和宝贵的技术专长。

My trainees, collaborators and I study cognitive factors that facilitate the perception of speech when it is presented in challenging listening situations, such as when there are competing talkers or background noise. We study the complex interplay between cognitive abilities and hearing abilities in young and older participants, and we use both behavioural and neuroimaging methods. I request funds to support three key components of this NSERC-funded research program. First, we require cognitive testing equipment that will allow us to characterize the cognitive abilities of our participants so that we can relate individual differences in cognitive function to comprehension of speech in noise. Second, we require equipment that will permit a more complete assessment of auditory function than is possible with the pure-tone audiometers we have, assessments more in line with audiological 'best practice'. This equipment will also permit us to characterize individual differences in cochlear gain and tuning, which is crucial to auditory perceptual organization and thus may relate to individual differences in speech-in-noise comprehension. This equipment will not duplicate existing resources within the University. Finally, we request key pieces of equipment for our neuroimaging program. This equipment is intended to replace existing outmoded and inadequate equipment and is essential for the fMRI studies that will be conducted during my Steacie Fellowship. Highly qualified personnel trained with this equipment will acquire marketable knowledge and valuable technical expertise in cognitive neuroscience methods, and in audiological and neuropsychological assessment.