Study Details

Title:

Neural tracking of speech with a competing talker: EEG recordings + psychoacoustic measures

Researcher:

Magdalena Wojtczak   

Contact:

lee04017@umn.edu

Term:

Fall 2026

Description:

*Please read before signing up* The study is 3 sessions long (each taking about 2 hours on separate days) and takes place in Elliott Hall (75 E River Rd) on the East Bank campus. Session 1 (N625 Elliott Hall): You will first complete a hearing screen to confirm eligibility. The first task requires you to sit still (~30 mins) while we take measurements from your ear. This involves putting a silicone probe in your ear that plays sounds and records responses from the ear canal. After that, you will perform four cognitive tasks that take about ~45 mins to 1 hr total. Sessions 2 & 3 (S41 Elliott Hall): You will listen to a story from an audiobook presented with a competing speech that you will be asked to ignore. The speech streams will be played to you over earphones. Periodically, the stories will be paused, and you will be asked to answer several questions about the segment of the story you just heard. While you listen, we will be measuring your brain activity using EEG. This involves wearing a cap with electrodes used to measure brain responses from different places on the scalp. To make EEG work, small amounts of water-based gel need to be injected into the cap at each electrode site. These measurements are non-invasive, but some of the gel may seep into your hair. We provide shampoo, a towel, and a hair dryer, so you can wash your hair after you finish. There is a bathroom with a shower head by the lab. The gel is water-soluble and will come out easily. Please email PuiYii Goh (goh00002@umn.edu) or Charlotte Lee (lee04017@umn.edu) for questions

Delivery Format:

Live (in-person or remote)

Maximum number of sessions:

3

Maximum Time Commitment:

360 minutes

Maximum REP Point Award:

15

Cash Award:

$90

Requirements:

• 18 and over
• Native English speaker
• Normal hearing
• Other