We are currently running an NIH-sponsored study of hearing and we invite your participation. The test session will average roughly 2 hours in duration but sometimes takes a little longer. Those who qualify can opt to participate in additional testing sessions.
Our study records soft sounds from the ear with a comfortable ear bud that contains a microphone. This might sound odd, but the ear does indeed make sound! In the process of “hearing”, the ear creates its own sounds which can be measured noninvasively with the ear bud. These sounds are called otoacoustic emissions (OAES). Currently, OAEs are measured in hearing clinics and hospitals to screen for or detect hearing loss. However, in this study we are more interested in learning about how normal hearing works.
If you choose to participate, you will be asked to sit quietly (in an almost meditative state so as to minimize environmental noise) while an ear bud fit to your ear presents sounds. Your job is just to sit as still and calmly as possible while we record the sounds that come from your ears in response to the sounds we present. We will also do hearing tests and a test of middle-ear function to see how your eardrum is moving.
If you qualify for the optional additional sessions, you will be asked to make judgements about the sounds that you hear.
Parking is provided and you will be reimbursed at a rate of $20/hour.
If you are interested in this study and would like to participate, please contact us!
The Principal Investigator of this study is Christopher Shera, PhD, Professor of Otolaryngology, USC Keck School of Medicine [IRB HS-13-00533].