Research

Research Opportunities in the Audiology Research Lab

Thank you for your interest in the work of our lab. To make a difference in the lives of children with hearing loss, consider taking an active role in the scientific process by participating in one or more of our research studies! 

The OWuhL Study

Pink Owl

The Outcomes with Unilateral Hearing Loss  (OWuhL) Study, aims to investigate how unilateral deafness, aided or unaided, may affect spatial hearing skills and psychological functioning.

Through one or two study visits, children will undergo auditory and neuropsychological assessments.

Eligibility criteria:

  • 6-16 years old

  • have normal hearing bilaterally OR

  • unilateral deafness

Participation will be compensated at $20/hour. Interested in learning more? Scan the QR code below, or complete an intake here, or email our team audiology.research@childrens.harvard.edu

OWUHL study flyer 

Did you know? Owls have an amazing sense of hearing.  
Some species of owls have asymmetric ears (one ear is higher than the other). 
This means that owls have super spatial hearing skills, allowing them to find where sounds are coming from with incredible accuracy!

Cochlear Implant Microphone Placement Study

The goal of the project is to study the effects of microphone placement on speech understanding in noisy listening environments for cochlear implant listeners. This research will identify the most efficacious device settings to maximize hearing for pediatric cochlear implant users in noisy listening situations.

SubInRSpace

During one study visit, children will listen in our custom 360-degree loudspeaker arrangement, called the R-SPACE Sound System, to simulate listening in a restaurant.

Eligibility criteria:

  • 7-18 years old

  • uses bilateral cochlear implants

Participation will be compensated at $20/hour. Interested in learning more? Email our team audiology.research@childrens.harvard.edu

CIMicPlacementFlyer

Multi-center Research

Participate in multi-center auditory research studies here at Boston Children's!

Scientific Collaboration: Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Boston Children's Hospital

PI: Julie Arenberg

BCH Site PI: Amanda Griffin

Over the course of multiple study visits, children will participate in a variety of listening tasks to create patient-tailored programs aimed to improve auditory skills. 

Eligibility criteria:

  • ALL ages!

  • bilateral hearing loss

  • use at least one Advanced Bionics cochlear implant

Participation will be compensated at $75/visit. Interested in learning more? Scan the QR code below, or complete an intake here, or email arenberg_lab@meei.harvard.edu.

arenberg flyer

Scientific Collaboration: Boys Town National Research Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital 

PI: Ryan McCreery

BCH Site PI: Derek Stiles

Eligibility criteria:

  • 4-12 years old

  • normal hearing OR

  • bilateral hearing loss

  • English is a primary language

One study visit required.

Participation will be compensated at $20/hour. Interested in learning more? Email logan.biechy@childrens.harvard.edu

boystown research flyer

Additional Audiology Research Opportunities

Participate in hearing research outside of Massachusetts!

Usher CI study 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Usher CI Study 2 

Explore the other auditory research labs at Boston Children's Hospital here!