Connecting Hearing Research with Live Music at Minnesota’s Orchestra Hall
Researchers and audiologists from the Center for Applied and Translational Sensory Science (CATSS), Listen Lab in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences and the Auditory Perception and Cognition (APC) Lab will the participate in the Minnesota Orchestra’s Feb. 15 concert through pre-concert experiences in the lobby designed to help audiences better understand how people perceive music, particularly individuals with hearing loss. The activities will be offered at no additional cost beyond concert admission, allowing concertgoers to engage directly with researchers and learn how scientific research informs inclusive musical experiences.
These lobby experiences are the brainchild of hearing advocate Michael Smith, in collaboration with Peggy Nelson, Katherine Teece, and Heather Kreft from Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, Psychology and CATSS. Together, the team has translated research on hearing, perception, and listening effort into accessible, public-facing activities that complement the concert experience.
Peggy Nelson, PhD, assistant dean for faculty affairs and professor in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at the University of Minnesota; former director of CATSS.
Heather Kreft, research audiologist in the APC Lab, Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota.
Katherine Teece, research audiologist at the University of Minnesota’s Listen Lab in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences.
Michael Smith, cochlear implant user and hearing advocate; mentor coordinator for a cochlear implant company, and CATSS advisory board member.
Composed by Nguyen Kiet Pham, communications assistant.
