# Speech Perception with High Cognitive Demand

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK · 2020 · $305,575

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Understanding speech in background noise is a common, yet effortful task that involves interactive auditory
and cognitive processes. Age-related declines in the neural systems that underlie these functions may explain
why speech-in-noise recognition is especially difficult for older adults, even for those with little to no hearing
loss. This project will design, implement, and test interventions that train top-down, executive functions within
an auditory task in order to improve speech recognition in noise for older normal-hearing adults. The current
proposal systematically tests the overarching hypothesis that speech recognition in noise can be improved via
training that specifically targets the interactive neural systems that underlie changes in auditory-cognitive
processing with age. Three sets of experiments will identify patterns of cortical activity that 1) are associated
with age-related changes in speech recognition in noise, 2) are engaged with candidate training exercises, and
3) that change with auditory-cognitive training. Behavioral, neural (using magnetoencephalography, MEG), and
pupil dilation measures will be obtained in healthy younger and older adults with normal hearing. Specifically,
Aim 1 tests the hypothesis that age-related declines in speech recognition in noise are predicted by changes in
top-down modulation of auditory cortex activity. The proposed study will examine the extent to which age-
related changes in the neural representation of speech in auditory cortex are associated with poorer speech
recognition and greater cognitive effort. Aim 1 also tests whether these age-related declines are associated
with a weaker relationship between frontal and temporal cortex activity. Aim 2 evaluates the extent to which
specific auditory-cognitive tasks elicit top-down modulation of auditory cortex activity. Tasks that place greater
demands on domain-general executive functions (e.g., inhibitory control, working memory) in the context of an
auditory processing task are predicted to more robustly modulate frontal-temporal connectivity. Aim 3 tests the
extent to which changes in top-down modulation of temporal cortex activity following auditory-cognitive training
predict improvements in speech recognition in noise. In contrast to previous studies that have employed
passive control groups, Aim 3 will test the prediction that an integrated auditory-cognitive training program
yields increased frontal-temporal connectivity and thus better speech recognition in noise and reduced listening
effort compared to an active training control group. By increasing our understanding of the aging brain, we aim
to develop effective interventions to improve speech recognition and the overall quality of life of older adults.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9962266
- **Project number:** 5P01AG055365-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
- **Principal Investigator:** Jonathan Z. Simon
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $305,575
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9962266

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9962266, Speech Perception with High Cognitive Demand (5P01AG055365-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9962266. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*