research overview
- 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.