The effect of attention and reward on the pupil dilation response during speech processing in noise

Dr. Thomas Koelewijn
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
VU University Medical Center

Date: 29 March 2019, FRIDAY
Time: 14:00
Location: P2.246, Blauwe Patio, UMCG
Broadcasting link: http://tinyurl.com/29-03-19-AudSeminar
Organized by: Drs. Leanne Nagels

Summary:

Following a conversation in a noisy environment is often effortful, especially for people with a hearing impairment. The pupil dilation response is a well-validated measure to quantify mental effort. Studies show larger pupil dilations in response to more challenging listening conditions (e.g. with interfering speech) compared to easier listening situations (stationary noise). Recent research shows that processes like working-memory, attention, and extrinsic motivation are associated with the pupil dilation response. In this talk, I will briefly introduce pupillometry as a method for quantifying listening effort and I will show results of recent studies on the effect of attention and reward on the pupil dilation response during speech processing in noise. To what degree processes affect cognitive load differently in people with hearing loss compared to normally hearing adults with acquired brain injury will be addressed as well.