Information about the Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Lab.

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Person talking to someone and the other person hearing them talkThe Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience (ACN) Lab conducts research on hearing and speech perception, as well as the disorders (e.g., hearing loss, tinnitus) associated with them. This is done by using a combination of computational modeling, brain imaging experiments, and behavioral experiments. Computational modeling allows for the generation of detailed, elaborate computer programs that simulate auditory and speech perception in the brain, specifically the cerebral cortex. The modeling allows us to describe the essence of a phenomenon being studied and to make testable predictions. The predictions made by the model are tested using behavioral and imaging tools. We use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to obtain detailed images of the structure and function of the brain, in particular, to investigate the differences between patient populations and healthy controls. This will allow us to evaluate therapies and to propose novel treatment methods for a particular disorder.  Click the tabs below to check out our current project.

Our Principal Investigator is Dr. Fatima T. Husain.

Check out our website here, and be sure to follow us on Twitter.

Tinnitus & Novel fMRI imaging

Tinnitus & Hearing Loss

Participants are needed for two research studies investigating the tinnitus (ringing in the ears) in adults. The studies are being conducted by Fatima Husain, Ph.D., of the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We are looking for healthy adults between the ages of 21-64, who have hearing loss and tinnitus, normal or corrected-to-normal vision, with no history of neurological psychological illness (except for depression or anxiety for which they are currently taking medications), no chronic health problems and no history of drug or alcohol abuse. If interested, please contact us. Individuals will be paid for their participation and will also be reimbursed for parking.

Normal Hearing

Participants are needed for two research studies investigating the tinnitus (ringing in the ears) in adults. The studies are being conducted by Fatima Husain, Ph. D., of the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We are looking for healthy adults between the ages of 21-64. They must who have normal hearing without tinnitus, normal or corrected-to-normal vision, with no history of neurological psychological illness (except for depression or anxiety for which they are currently taking medications), no chronic health problems and no history of drug or alcohol abuse. If interested, please contact us. Individuals will be paid for their participation and will also be reimbursed for parking.

The experiment is divided into two parts:

  1. Part 1 is a detailed hearing exam, questionnaires, and behavioral tests will be part of Part 1. It will take place at SHS, 901 S. Sixth Street. 
  2. For Part 2, we will use MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to obtain images of the brain while the participants are listening to sounds. This experiment will take place at the Biomedical Imaging Center, part of the Beckman Institute at 405 N. Mathews Ave. Participants who fulfill certain criteria, including age, gender, type of tinnitus and type of hearing loss, will be invited to participate in Part 2.

Please contact us at tinnitus@acnlab.com or call us at 217-333-7561 if you are interested in participating.