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Research Labs
SDSU Research Labs
Auditory Physiology and Psychoacoustics Laboratory
Laura Dreisbach, Director
- The Auditory Physiology
and Psychoacoustics Laboratory is located in the SLH Building on the main campus. It serves as the
primary teaching and research laboratory for Dr. Laura Dreisbach.
The research focus of the lab is to characterize otoacoustic emissions,
sounds generated by the healthy ear, using high-frequency stimuli.
By characterizing high-frequency otoacoustic emissions we are
hoping to develop an objective test to monitor high-frequency
hearing in humans during medical treatments that are known to
damage hearing. Specifically, we are studying distortion-product
otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and stimulus frequency otoacoustic
emissions (SFOAEs). Additionally, we want to develop an objective
test of frequency selectivity. Frequency selectivity represents
a basic mechanism of inner ear processing and is thought to be
an important factor in speech understanding. There may be a link
between frequency selectivity measured behaviorally (psychoacoustically)
and inner ear tuning measured with emissions. Using emissions
and behavioral measures to examine frequency selectivity will
help us determine if we can develop an objective test of frequency
selectivity to be used in hearing clinics. This innovative objective
test of frequency selectivity may aid in the determination of
"good" hearing aid candidates.
Auditory Research Lab
Carol Mackersie, Director
- The Auditory Research Lab is located in CC-Alvarado. It serves as the primary research and teaching laboratory for Dr. Mackersie. The lab is equipped with Tucker-Davis hardware and software packages for psychoacoustic and speech perception testing, an audiometer and a hearing aid analyzer. The lab is also equipped with additional hardware for digital recording and software for testing, signal processing, speech analysis, and statistical analysis. Lab activities encompass three research areas pertaining to individuals with permanent hearing loss: 1) speech perception abilities in complex listening environments 2) amplification technology for telephone use and 3) hearing aid evaluation and outcome methods.
Hearing and Aging Lab
Peter Torre, Director
- The Hearing and Aging Laboratory is located at CC-Alvarado. It serves as the primary research space for Dr. Peter Torre. The research focus of this lab is to determine how cochlear (i.e., inner ear) function and auditory neural function change in older adults. Understanding how these functional changes occur with increasing age has a direct implication on how hearing loss intervention strategies are utilized. Cochlear function is measured using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and neural function is measured using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). Additionally, field study research includes age-related changes in hearing sensitivity in older Latino-American adults. The prevalence of hearing loss in these older adults can then be compared to other racial groups and further analyses can possibly determine how risk factors for hearing loss vary across racial groups.
Diagnostic Audiology Lab
Steven Kramer, Director
-
The Audiology Lab is located in
CC-Alvarado. The lab consists of a double suite sound booth dedicated
to research needs of audiology faculty and students. It also is
used for occasional clinical auditory brainstem response (ABR)
evaluations, as well as for ABR lab assignments for the CD 647
course. This lab is equipped with Biologic Brain Atlas III system
for auditory evoked potential measures (including brainmapping),
a rack of Med Associates digital and acoustic modules for stimulus
generation and timing, a Krone-Hite dual channel filter capable
of 96 dB/octave rolloff for notched or high-pass noise masking
experiments, a Grason Stadler audiometer (GSI16), and a Virtual
immittance instrument for multiple component/multiple frequency
immittance measures. Additionally, research in amplification is
supported by a real ear probe microphone instrument (Fonix 6500)
which is shared with the clinic and located in an adjacent room,
and a portable real ear probe microphone system (Fonix FP40 ).
The OAE instrument is on a cart and has been used in the field,
most recently for two infant OAE studies at the Mary Birch Hospital
for Women at Sharp Memorial Hospital.
UCSD Research Labs
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descriptions coming soon
