Media Highlights 2021
UT Southwestern and UT Dallas Break Ground on $120 Million Joint Bioengineering Research Facility
Nov 15, 2021
“With the addition of the biomedical engineering sciences building, we create an additional opportunity for higher education and the development of new technologies for detecting and treating illnesses” — Dr. Richard C. Benson, UT Dallas President.
Why a Good, but Safe, Halloween Scare Could Be Good for Your Health
Oct 28, 2021
“You can get a little bit of a buzz from that, but you know you’re safe. You can kind of feel empowered by that too, or like you’ve conquered something – and in this case it’s conquering your own fear.” — Dr. Christa McIntyre, associate professor in cognition and neuroscience at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Why You Shouldn’t Put Off Getting FDA Proposes New Rule for Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids
Oct 19, 2021
“It is through involvement of an audiologist that consumers will achieve the best possible outcomes with OTC hearing aids and avoid the risks of under- or untreated hearing loss.” — Dr. Angela Shoup, professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Executive Director, Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
Why You Shouldn’t Put Off Getting Hearing Aids
Aug 12, 2021
“People who wear hearing aids have plenty of complaints about them, including squealing or background noise. But newer devices are much better at handling those kinds of problems.” — Dr. Linda Thibodeau, professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
2021 Schweitzer Fellows: Supporting Healthy Child Development
Jul 30, 2021
An interview with Samantha Redig, a 2021 Albert Schweitzer Fellow and a doctorial student working with the Center for Children and Families.
Double Empathy, Explained
Jul 22, 2021
“In addition to suggesting new research angles, the double empathy problem may help explain why some autism assessments and treatments fall short. For example, standard measures of social abilities don’t seem to predict how autistic people fare in actual social interactions.” — Dr. Noah Sasson, associate professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Is It Time to Do Something About Your Hearing Loss?
Jul 13, 2021
“One of my patients didn’t hear a man who broke into her home and knocked over a dish hutch. She was unharmed physically, but the realization that she wasn’t aware of her surroundings took an emotional toll and prompted her to get hearing aids.” — Jackie Clark, clinical professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and past president of the American Academy of Audiology.
Another Fireworks Hazard: Loss of Hearing
Jul 2, 2021
“Children are at particular risk for hearing loss from ‘backyard’ fireworks displays, because of their excitement and curiosity and wishing to be close to the activity.” — Dr. Angela Shoup, professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Executive Director, Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
University Of Texas At Dallas: Pain Researchers Pinpoint Female-Specific Migraine Triggers
Jul 2, 2021
“In this prolactin work, we are showing a clear difference between how males and females respond to CGRP and to prolactin — something you don’t see very often.” — Dr. Greg Dussor, associate professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Covid-19 Creates Hearing, Balance Disorders, Worsens Tinnitus: Study
Jun 11, 2021
“The factors that may play a role in the relationship between Covid-19 and hearing are multifold. Covid-19 is known to have inflammatory effects, including in neurological tissue, which can exacerbate other problems.” — Dr. Colleen Le Prell, the Emilie and Phil Schepps Professor of Hearing Science and professor and head of the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing.
May is National Better Hearing Month
May 10, 2021
“Individuals with even mild hearing loss are at three times more risk of experiencing a fall and falls are the leading cause of fatalities in Americans over 65.” — Dr. Angela Shoup, professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Executive Director, Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
May is National Better Hearing Month
May 10, 2021
“Individuals with even mild hearing loss are at three times more risk of experiencing a fall and falls are the leading cause of fatalities in Americans over 65.” — Dr. Angela Shoup, professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Executive Director, Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
For Seniors Looking To Stay Sharp in the Pandemic, Try a Game of Spades
Apr 17, 2021
“While moving in with children isn’t an option for all seniors, incorporating routines that are both fun and challenging keep the mind exercised and sharp — at least until more families are fully vaccinated and those affectionate embraces called hugs are in greater supply.” — Dr. Denise C. Park, Distinguished University Chair in Behavioral and Brain Sciences and director of research at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for Vital Longevity.
Smartphone Technology: The Hub of a Basic Wireless Accessibility Plan
Apr, 2021
The combined efforts of two University of Texas at Dallas Research Labs, Hearing Health Lab and the Statistical Signal Processing Research Laboratory, resulted in an open-source research platform for speech processing and hearing improvement funded by The National Institute of the Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health. — Dr. Linda Thibodeau, professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
We Don’t Need Autism Awareness—We Need Autism Acceptance, Study Says
Mar, 2021
“It’s not easy to be autistic in a predominantly non-autistic world, and making the social world a bit more accommodating and welcoming to autistic differences could go a long way toward improving personal and professional outcomes for autistic people.” — Dr. Noah Sasson, associate professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Experts Look Into Correlation Between COVID-19 and Tinnitus
Mar 26, 2021
“We do know for people who experience tinnitus, many of them won’t be bothered with their tinnitus at all and typically they’re more bothered by it if they’re under a lot of stress or if they’re having issues with sleep. Maybe they’re sleep deprived or fatigued or very anxious.” — Dr. Angela Shoup, professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Executive Director, Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
Texas Roadhouse CEO Kent Taylor’s Death Raises Awareness About Potential Long-Term Effects Of COVID-19
Mar 22, 2021
“It is rare, but that can happen, where the symptoms of tinnitus become so unmanageable, that people take extreme measures.” — Dr. Edward Lobarinas, associate professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
A 25-Minute Training Can Help Reduce People’s Autism Biases
Mar 16, 2021
“The majority of interventions to improve autistic social experiences focus on asking autistic people to change who they are, just so others will accept them.” — Desiree Jones, PhD student in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Old Dogs Need to Learn New Tricks. Here’s Why.
Mar 9, 2021
“Anything that’s novel drives your brain to pay attention.At the cellular level, it spurs new expression, new signaling. That’s really good for you.” — Dr. Kristen Kennedy, associate professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
What Really Works to Help an Aging Brain. It’s Not Going to Function Like it Did in Your 20s, but There Are Things You Can Do.
Mar 7, 2021
“Requiring an extra moment or two to remember someone’s name or having a little trouble keeping a lot of information in your head at one time or switching between focused tasks are normal parts of aging and not a sign that you’re losing your mind. These changes are not threatening to your everyday life, as a general rule.” — Dr. Denise C. Park, Distinguished University Chair in Behavioral and Brain Sciences and director of research at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for Vital Longevity.
COVID-19 Exposes Hearing Problems
Mar 3, 2021
“A lot of people who may not have identified with hearing difficulties previously, possibly because they had a very minimal problem are recognizing increased communication difficulties now. Masks take away visual cues and “tend to distort and soften the speech signal.” — Dr. Angela Shoup, professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Executive Director, Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
Psychology of Prejudice Class Navigates Conflict-Filled Year
Feb 22, 2021
“Everyone has the opportunity to share how racism and prejudice have impacted their lives as well as discuss current events. Bringing together students from many backgrounds, we were able to learn about each other’s personal experiences.” — Dr. Salena Brody, professor of instruction in psychology at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Study Finds Understanding of Autism Can Boost Social Inclusion
Feb 22, 2021
“Research on race suggests that people who have racial biases tend to view that race as a monolith, assigning every member the same features. By exposing them to different people from the group, you can challenge those stereotypes. We believe the same principle applies to autism.” — Desiree Jones, PhD student in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Center for BrainHealth Researchers Create Virtual Reality Cognitive Assessment
Feb 5, 2021
“This study indicates that our strategies have a dramatic effect on our capacity. If you enter into a task prepared with a plan, you will get the most out of your brain and see much better performance.” — Dr. Daniel Krawczyk, Debbie and Jim Francis Chair and professor of cognitive neuroscience and cognitive psychology at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Center for BrainHealth.
UTD Trio Named Among 1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists
Feb 1, 2021
“It was always clear that there are very few people that look like me in the lab and conference rooms. This filled me with trepidation that I would not be understood. However, diversity is at the root of advancement and cutting-edge research.” — Dr. Michael Burton, assistant professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Study: Waterproof Phone Cases Not Sound-Problem Proof
Jan 19, 2021
“Those with hearing loss might need to make choices. Perhaps a person would only use a waterproof case when going fishing or might resort to texting when using a waterproof case. It’s important that they know the potential problem and plan ahead.” — Dr. Linda Thibodeau, professor at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
