Having a simple conversation is a lot harder than it sounds! Fortunately, the human auditory system is exquisitely designed to integrate multiple information streams that carry both linguistic and non-linguistic information into the brain (see Figure to right). Our new paper sheds some light on where the brain performs this integration step. Read more about it here.

What do I mean by integration? Let's say I'm discussing an exam grade with a student. The listener's brain must simultaneously analyze signals pertaining to my usage of grammar, content and sentence structure, but it also combines these signals with information about the characteristics of my voice. If it's a good grade, my voice might be quite animated and the student will register my excitement for a job well done. On the other hand, if the grade isn't so hot, my voice might be more subdued, and the student will register my concern that a greater effort is required on the next exam. In other words, successful communication requires analysis of linguistic content that is embedded within non-linguistic content. In most individuals, the auditory system performs this integration process seamlessly and flawlessly. In other individuals, however, the situation is more complex: they have no problem detecting sounds, but they have difficulty putting together the "big picture" or reading the speaker's tone of voice when having a conversation. This is just one example of a central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). My research aims to understand which neural networks in the brain are responsible for this higher-level, integrative processing of spoken language.

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