27 From Sound to Spikes: My Experience Studying the Auditory Nerve

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Skyler Jennings (Department of Communication Sciences and Disorder, University of Utah)

From the beginning of the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) and my supportive welcome into the Auditory Perception & Physiology Lab, it was evident that I would be mentored by passionate graduate students, faculty, and undergraduate research staff throughout the summer.

Upon entering the lab there were several ongoing projects focused on measuring electrical activity from the human inner ear to explore hearing loss and auditory challenges in noisy environments. Recently relocated, the lab faced a few technical challenges, providing me with valuable lessons for ensuring quality electrophysiological recordings such as managing unfamiliar electrical environments and eliminating recording artifacts through electromagnetic shielding. This meticulous process enhanced my skills in efficiently recording and documenting the results of test trials, a practice that I was able to apply in all steps of the research process. Witnessing the phases leading up to data collection gave me a glimpse of the patience required within research. Once these issues were resolved, participants could be scheduled, allowing data collection to begin.

I came into this lab with foundational knowledge of audiology from prior undergraduate courses, but the knowledge and skills I have gained through this hands-on experience were invaluable in expanding my strengths as a student and researcher. Over the course of my SPUR experience, I have developed many skills such as reviewing literature, learning MATLAB coding, reviewing and writing pieces of a grant proposal, collecting electrophysiological data from human participants, constructing electrodes, analyzing electrophysiological recordings, administering hearing tests, and communicating within the research team.

As an integral part of SPUR, I had the opportunity to create and present a poster for my primary research project. My study focused on determining the optimal electrode placements for measuring cochlear hair cell and auditory nerve responses. The literature review and discussions with my lab have deepened my understanding of the critical need for a reliable method to study human inner ear function. Measuring the softest sound a person can detect for several frequencies (i.e., an audiogram) is currently the most common diagnostic hearing test; however, this test is not sensitive to detecting auditory nerve damage. Research has shown that auditory nerve fibers can be damaged through noise exposure and may contribute to speech-in-noise difficulties while not affecting the audiogram. My study aims to assist in better assessing cochlear health through clearer identification of auditory nerve damage and more precise monitoring of trauma during cochlear implant insertion. Exploring the prevalence and unknowns of auditory nerve damage and the potential impact of recording more accurate measures has been intriguing, making my involvement in this project very rewarding. I expect the results of my study will strengthen the fidelity of measurements in cochlear synaptopathy research and enhance the ability to detect trauma during cochlear implant insertion.

I came into this experience intimidated by the information I did not yet know regarding the research process, the world of academia, and my chosen field of study (audiology and speech language pathology). I am grateful for the mentorship I gained through SPUR, where my curiosity is valued alongside my existing knowledge, fostering a positive environment for exploring my interests in research, academia, and audiology. Spending the summer in Utah as an out-of-state student, I was able to thrive in this program and build an academic and social network in a new place. This immensely boosted my confidence in submitting a competitive application to attend graduate school in a location that may be outside of my comfort zone. I am eager to enter the next phase in my academic journey equipped with the insight, skills, and network I have gained through SPUR.