Andrew Dimitrijevic

Research Synopsis

High density EEG is used to map out brain regions underlying listening disorders. One focus is on EEG signatures of the “cocktail party” where a listener needs to focus attention on a single talker amongst many competing voices. These studies have shown that brain oscillations, in particular the alpha band, is highly correlated to attention and self-perceived “listening effort”. We also examine brain processes associated with music perception and how different instruments are encoded separately when listening an entire music piece consisting of multiple instruments. A big focus of the lab is mobile EEG imaging. This field of study goes outside the lab and into the real-world. These studies aim to characterize brain responses while a listener follows a conversation in a natural setting. Other areas of research include: cross-modal neuroplasticity associated with hearing loss and recovery with a cochlear implant and the effects of hearing loss on working memory.