# Effects of music training on auditory processing and high-frequency hearing abilities in adolescent musicians

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · 2020 · $175,600

## Abstract

The aims of this research proposal are to provide a definitive answer to the question of whether formal
musical training is associated with enhanced perception of sound. Musicians have been reported to possess
enhanced auditory processing of sounds both in quiet and in noise – a result of processes that may begin as
early in the auditory pathway as the cochlea itself. These enhancements may underlie improved abilities to
understand speech-in-noise, and because of their profound implications, these studies have generated
tremendous interest. However, many of the conclusions were based on studies that had i) relatively few
participants, ii) mostly adult participants and iii) no assessment of audiometric or cochlear function in the
extended high-frequency (EHF) ranges. These proposed experiments are aimed to remedy these deficiencies
by recruiting 150 youth musicians, and assessing both audiometric and cochlear EHF regions.
Interestingly, even in people with clinically normal hearing thresholds there are differences in hearing in noise
abilities. In fact, while there is no clear relationship between normal standard thresholds (0.25-8kHz) and
hearing in noise abilities, there is a proposed relationship between extended high-frequency (EHF) hearing
thresholds (8-20 kHz) and improved hearing in noise abilities. In addition to audiometric EHF thresholds,
cochlear outer hair cell health can also be assessed non-invasively using distortion-product otoacoustic
emissions (DPOAEs) both in the standard and EHF frequency ranges.
 As mentioned early, most previous studies have sorted their adult participants into “musicians” or “non-
musicians” based on years of musical training. Our laboratory has recently shown (in both children and adults)
that musical aptitude and musical training significantly predict hearing-in-noise abilities. Our hypothesis is that
this `musician advantage' in auditory processing is related to both EHF cochlear function and musical aptitude.
For both aims, we will recruit ~150 youth (11-18 years) who are students at The Hochstein School as well as
other area youth musicians. The Hochstein School enrolls ~ 715 students/year in this age range in their
classes and ensembles, providing a natural recruitment platform to assess these behavioral and physiological
measures. The specific aims are to investigate whether the `musician advantage' in auditory processing is
related to i) EHF audiometric and cochlear function and ii) musical aptitude.
 Information gained from these studies in youth musicians will provide a rigorous assessment of whether the
`musician advantage' in auditory processing exists for all types of sound, and if this advantage is related to
musical aptitude, musical training, and EHF cochlear health. We will also be examining what extent music and
speech hearing-in-noise abilities overlap, and will be establishing norms and outcome measures that can be
used to assess future music-based interventions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10017174
- **Project number:** 5R21DC018700-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** ANNE E LUEBKE
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $175,600
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-12 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10017174

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10017174, Effects of music training on auditory processing and high-frequency hearing abilities in adolescent musicians (5R21DC018700-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10017174. Licensed CC0.

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