The MUSC Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery is currently conducting a research study with the goal of automating clinical hearing testing. This research study is completed in one session, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. It involves listening through headphones and giving responses to both tones and words. Investigators are recruiting bilingual people (ages 18-90) who have English as their second language. Compensation available. If you are interested in participating in this research, please contact Lois Matthews at 792-3877 or by email at matthelj@musc.edu

This study is being conducted to learn whether speech understanding improves through prolonged training with speech sounds and how brain function relates to this improvement. This study includes a basic hearing test, tasks pertaining to perception, mood, memory, and reasoning, questionnaires, MRI scanning of the brain, and participation in a computer-based speech-understanding training program customized to the participant’s hearing loss. Volunteers age 60 years and older with hearing loss who have never used hearing aids or used them only briefly are currently being recruited. The study requires approximately 2-3 visits per week for a period of 8-12 weeks, scheduled at the participant’s convenience. Compensation available. For further information please contact Stephanie Cute 843-792-5916 or email: cute@musc.edu

This project, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is being conducted to determine the effects of aging on hearing, understanding speech, and brain functions. This study will provide a scientific basis for diagnosis, rehabilitation and prevention of hearing loss due to aging. Volunteers who meet the eligibility requirements may enroll in this study, which will include measurements of hearing, making listening judgments of sounds, behavioral tasks, questionnaires, and MRI scanning of the brain. Participants 40 years of age and older with normal hearing or hearing loss are currently being recruited. Three visits of 2-3 hours each are required and scheduling is flexible.