Current research support
American Speech Language Hearing Foundation Shafiro, V. (PI) 1/1/2017– 12/31/18
“A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Benefits of an Internet-Based Auditory Training Program for Cochlear Implant Patients.”
Clinical Research Grant: The primary goal of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of Internet-based environmental sound and speech training for people who rely on cochlear implants in daily life..
Completed research support
NIH-NIDCD, National Research Service Award (F-31) Shafiro, V. (PI) 1/1/03 – 12/1/03
“Perception of sources of environmental sounds.”
This work investigated the perception of a large number of familiar environmental sounds under varying spectral resolution by normal hearing adults. It provided a basis for developing a comprehensive environmental sound test for cochlear implant patients.
Deafness Research Foundation Shafiro, V. (PI) 7/1/07– 6/30/09
“Perception of environmental sounds and speech in patients with cochlear implants.”
This project investigated the relationship between perception of speech and environmental sounds in cochlear implant patients.
American Speech Language Hearing Foundation Shafiro, V. (PI) 1/1/09 – 12/31/09
“Effects of training on the perception of environmental sounds and speech in patients with cochlear implants.”
New Century Scholar Research Grant: to examine the effect of environmental sound training on the perception of speech and environmental sounds in cochlear implant patients. This project provided pilot data for the subsequent R03 award.
NIH-NIDCD R03 DC008676 Shafiro, V. (PI) 4/15/09 -3/31/12
“Perception of environmental sounds and speech by patients with cochlear implants.”
This project determined 1) the effect of training on the perception of speech and environmental sounds in cochlear implant patients and 2) the role of cognitive and basic auditory abilities in accounting for variance in perception and training effects.
Captia Foundation Shafiro, V. (PI) 1/1/12 – 12/31/12
“Environmental sound and speech perception in relation to language development in children with cochlear implants”
This project examined how perception of environmental sounds relates to speech perception and language development in children with cochlear implants and developed a short test of environmental sound perception and cognition suitable for clinical use.
National Organization for Hearing Research Shafiro, V. (Co-investigator; PI: Sheft) 1/1/09 – 12/31/09
“Relationship between ability to discriminate stochastic patterns of frequency modulation and speech perception in hearing-Impaired and elderly listeners.”
This project investigated the ability of young normal-hearing, normal-hearing elderly, and hearing-impaired listeners to discriminate stochastic patterns of FM. The results provided a basis for development of clinically feasible psychoacoustic measures to indicate the extent of speech-processing deficits associated with hearing loss and aging, and aid in the early diagnosis of cochlear hearing loss.
NIH-NIA, Rush Alzheimer Disease Core Center – Pilot Grant, Shafiro, V. (Co-Investigator; PI: Sheft) 7/1/12 – 6/31/13
“Hearing, speech and episodic memory in older African-American and White adults.”
This study examined the extent of variance in cognitive tests accounted for by hearing and speech abilities for both African-American and White older adults. Results provide a basis for improving the accuracy of clinical cognitive measures by providing necessary correction for hearing and speech perception-production deficits and refining models of cognitive performance.