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Neural correlates and functional benefits of continuous vs. categorical listening

Award Number: F31DC023124
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

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Neural correlates and functional benefits of continuous vs. categorical listening - Project Summary/Abstract Successful speech perception requires that listeners map continuous changes in the acoustic signal into discrete phonetic units (categorize) while “tuning out” background noise. Listeners could use two opposing listening strategies to accomplish these tasks: a gradient/continuous strategy that linearly maps acoustics to perception and retains all signal details or a categorical/discrete strategy that warps acoustics into phonetic categories and discards perceptually irrelevant features. Theoretically, either strategy could benefit speech-in-noise (SIN) perception: gradient listening could offer flexibility for optimal cue-weighting in noise, whereas abstract phonetic categories formed by discrete listening could be more resilient to degradation. Combining behavioral tasks designed to evaluate listening strategy (phoneme labeling) with temporally sensitive electrophysiological measures (EEG) of brainstem and cortical function, this project will evaluate how the brain’s encoding of speech reflects gradient vs. discrete modes of hearing at the individual level, and in turn, might predict SIN abilities. Our innovative EEG paradigms include the simultaneous recording of frequency-following responses (FFRs) and event-related potentials (ERPs) to assess how different levels of the auditory system (brainstem + cortex) scale with perceptual abilities and reflect listening strategy between (Aim 1) and within (Aim 2) individuals. Our central hypothesis is that listening strategy is directly related to figure-ground perception and may account for substantial unrecognized variation in SIN outcomes, providing a fresh mechanistic view of degraded speech perception. The proposed predoctoral work will be pursued in a highly productive and interdisciplinary research environment at Indiana University in the Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (ACNL) under the primary mentorship of Dr. Gavin Bidelman. The ACNL specializes in auditory/speech perception, neurophysiology (brainstem and cortical EEG), and computational modeling. This environment is well-suited to the PI’s goals for training in brain imaging, advanced computational and statistical analysis of multichannel EEG data, and professional and career development. Primary training in human neuroimaging and auditory neuroscience will be complemented by interdisciplinary training in behavior and speech perception with Co-Sponsor Dr. Tessa Bent, a leading expert on indexical and cognitive factors in speech and individual differences in speech perception. In addition to these research experiences, the fellowship training plan includes opportunities for career development, incorporating milestones in scientific dissemination (conference presentations, publications), seminars and workshops in professional development (e.g., grantsmanship), and formal coursework to support the PI’s training in theoretical and empirical issues in auditory cognitive neuroscience. Collectively, this F31 will provide the PI with crucial tools and experience to propel her into a successful career in auditory neuroscience and becoming a tenure-track academic researcher.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $50,114 )
2026	2026	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	107 S INDIANA AVE	BLOOMINGTON	IN	47405	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	1	4/9/2026	NEW	$0
2026	2026	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	107 S INDIANA AVE	BLOOMINGTON	IN	47405	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	4/9/2026	NEW	$50,114
														Subtotal = $50,114

Grand Total All Awards = $50,114

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Neural correlates and functional benefits of continuous vs. categorical listening

Award Number: F31DC023124

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

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