Research Assistant: Higher Cognitive Functions and Their Relationship with Speech and Noise Discrimination in Hearing and Hearing Aided Individuals

Introduction to the topic:

The link between the ability to hear speech in noisy environments and higher cognitive functions has become increasingly evident. Simple auditory abilities alone cannot explain why some individuals excel at discriminating speech from noise while others do not. This issue is further complicated when comparing hearing individuals with those who use hearing aids. Several studies have shown that these two groups access attention, memory, and fluid intelligence resources differently. However, it is unclear which and how they use these resources differently.

Project details:

This project aims to compare the cognitive skills of 200 hearing and hearing-aided individuals in order to better understand these differences. It will do so by investigating the role of sentence completion as a mediator between working memory (WM) and speech recognition in noise in individuals using hearing aids. Sentence completion tasks, which require participants to fill in missing words or phrases in incomplete sentences, are often used to assess language comprehension, semantic knowledge, and cognitive flexibility. These abilities are particularly relevant to speech-in-noise recognition, a critical challenge for individuals with hearing aids. By focusing on sentence completion, the project addresses a gap in the research, as most prior studies have neglected this cognitive process when evaluating speech comprehension and memory updating in hearing-aided individuals. Understanding how cognitive factors like sentence completion mediate WM and speech recognition could provide insights for improving hearing aid technology and interventions, enhancing the quality of life for individuals with hearing impairments.

Methodologically, the research will rely on data previously collected as part of the N200 project. This data set includes participants with and without hearing aids, providing a broad base for analysis. To analyze the relationship between our variables of interest, we will conduct a mediation analysis. This statistical approach allows us to test whether and how the cognitive tasks mediate the relationship between WM and speech recognition performance. We will use statistical software R, employing a quasi-Bayesian approach.

In your role as Research Assistant, there will be a variety of roles and opportunities to develop practical research skills, dependent on when during the research process you enter. Early in the project, RAs will assist with the preparation and organization of the dataset and literature. Once the data are ready, RAs may be involved in conducting statically analyses themselves, depending on their level of experience with software such as R. In addition to data management and analysis, students will contribute to literature reviews and potentially assist in the interpretation of data and writing and editing of a manuscript. At all points throughout the project, you will develop highly transferable skills which will benefit future pursuits in research, cognitive science, and data analysis.

Additional application required

You must submit an additional application through the Online Registration portal.

All application materials must be submitted on the following dates by midnight in your time zone:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your application through Student Registration.

Syllabus

Spring 2025

Go to syllabus

This is a draft syllabus. The final syllabus will be available here a few days prior to the new course’s first start date.

Recommended experience

Previous experience using either R or Python is preferred, but not required.

Faculty

Carlos Tirado

Faculty

PhD. (Psychology, Stockholm University, 2021). Postdoctoral researcher, Linköping University, Linköping, 2022-present. With DIS since 2023.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic:

Project details:

Additional application required

Syllabus

Spring 2025

Recommended experience

Faculty

Carlos Tirado

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?