Hearing Epidemiology and Research Diagnostics (HEARD) Laboratory


THE
HEARD
LAB

The Hearing Epidemiology and Research Diagnostics (HEARD) Laboratory

 

 

Principal Investigator Rachael R. Baiduc, PhD, MPH

What is The HEARD Lab?

The Hearing Epidemiology and Research Diagnostics (HEARD) Laboratory is led by Principal Investigator Rachael R. Baiduc, PhD, MPH. We are generally interested in understanding risk factors for adult-onset hearing loss, particularly those related to cardiometabolic risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and smoking. We have two streams of research. First, we use “big data” approaches to explore these connections using epidemiological and clinical datasets. Second, our lab-based studies analyze relationships between cardiovascular disease risk factors and the inner workings of the ear. A major focus of this work is otoacoustic emissions, low-level sounds emitted by the inner ear. We can measure these sounds using small microphones in the ear canal and analyze their relationship to cardiometabolic and overall health. Our research has been funded by the University of Colorado Boulder Innovative Seed Grant, the Hearing Health Foundation, and the American Hearing Research Foundation, and the National Institues of Health (NIDCD).

 

Participate in our research studies!

Are you interested in learning more about your hearing health? We are seeking participants for a paid study on hypertension and hearing.

Learn more

 

We are pleased to announce the recent publication of three papers on hearing loss in the Hispanic/Latino population including two on cognition and hearing and one on cardiovascular disease risk and hearing. 

 

 

Current projects

 

This project examines the effect of individual and aggregate cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors on hearing using electronic health records from the University of Colorado School of Medicine (UCHealth) ...

This NIH-funded project is evaluating potential associations between cochlear dysfunction and hypertension. We are characterizing Black-white differences in inner ear health associated with Stage 2 Hypertension, a chronic condition that is prevalent in the Black population. This study is enrolling participants...

This project explores the potential connection between cardiovascular risk status and prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. We are using electronic health records from the University of Colorado School of Medicine system...

Meet our Team

Rachael R. Baiduc

Director • Lead Investigator

SPEECH • LANGUAGE • AND HEARING SCIENCES

Madison Romero

Doctoral Student in Audiology • Graduate Research Assistant

SPEECH • LANGUAGE • AND HEARING SCIENCES

Graham Gansar

Doctoral Student in Audiology • Graduate Research Assistant

SPEECH • LANGUAGE • AND HEARING SCIENCES

Kelly Keating

Recent SLHS Graduate • Research Assistant

SPEECH • LANGUAGE • AND HEARING SCIENCES