Auditory Development

This research area investigates the developmental progression of auditory system maturation in infancy, including cortical auditory responses, auditory discrimination, and audiovisual speech integration, and how these early neural and perceptual signatures predict or facilitate later language acquisition. Understanding these relationships matters because early auditory processing is foundational to speech perception and word learning, and disruptions or delays in auditory system maturation can compromise language outcomes.

This theme focuses on the neurobiological substrates of auditory pathway development, including the role of genetic factors, sensory experience, and cortical-thalamic interactions in shaping auditory circuit organization and functional plasticity. It also addresses how multisensory integration capabilities develop and adapt, covering both normative mechanisms and alterations caused by sensory deprivation or asymmetric hearing loss. Insights here are crucial for understanding critical periods for auditory function and for guiding interventions in hearing impairments.

This research theme examines the clinical and neurodevelopmental consequences of unilateral or asymmetric hearing loss in children, detailing how such auditory deprivation affects binaural processing, selective attention, speech perception in noisy environments, cortical representations, and language acquisition. It also explores intervention timing and efficacy for hearing rehabilitation devices. The significance lies in optimizing management strategies to mitigate the amplified developmental risks in children with asymmetric hearing deficits.