Dr. Sharma's research is focused on examining brain development and neuroplasticity in children and adults with hearing loss who are fit with cochlear implants and hearing aids. Her research has identified sensitive periods for cochlear implantation of deaf children. She is developing clinically feasible biomarkers of neuro-plasticity which may be assessed for individual patients with hearing impairment to assist in clinical decision making. Her research also focuses on examining the issue of cortical development and neuroplasticity in children who are identified with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD), a recently discovered form of hearing impairment which affects 10% of children with permanent hearing loss. She has studied the efficacy of delivering rehabilitation and via telehealth. She is conducting studies to examine compensatory and cross-modal changes in the brains of adults who develop age-related hearing loss and are treated with hearing aids and/or cochlear implants. In current research she is comparing over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids and prescription hearing aids with respect to their neurocognitive outcomes.
keywords
Brain plasticity, Cochlear Implants, Hearing Aids, Audiology, Brain development in children with hearing loss, Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder, Cortical Maturation, Brain Development, Adults and Children with Hearing loss, Tinnitus, Cross modal re-organization
SLHS 4704 - Audiological Evaluation
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Studies basic principles and techniques of hearing evaluation, including pure-tone, speech, immittance, and advanced audiometry; hearing conservation in hospital, school, and industrial settings; and identification and evaluation of auditory pathologies. Required projects in screening and pure-tone audiometry.
SLHS 6564 - Auditory Processes: Neurodiagnostics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Provides advanced study in the neural bases of hearing. Includes theoretical foundations and clinical assessment of neurological functioning in auditory systems with both normal and impaired function.
SLHS 6940 - Master's Candidate for Degree
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022
Registration intended for students preparing for a thesis defense, final examination, culminating activity, or completion of degree.
SLHS 7450 - Audiology Capstone Project
Primary Instructor
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Summer 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023
Provides an individualized project for AUD, completed prior to initiation of final clinical year. May be in the form of research-based investigation, an evidence-based position paper, a clinical protocol based on peer-reviewed literature, a grant proposal, or another format approved by AUD committee. Project requires approved proposal by AUD committee andfocused study supervised by capstone advisor.
