Subject: [AUDITORY] Postdoctoral Opportunity: Hearing Aids, Brain Function, and Cognitive Aging From: Frank Russo <000003cbca248916-dmarc-request@xxxxxxxx> Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2026 13:38:19 -0400--Apple-Mail=_3A6B6FC7-80D1-46FC-BFF8-4C7EE8C9D565 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="Apple-Mail=_2B40DA02-6AA9-41C3-9C26-E8A2CFB04DF5" --Apple-Mail=_2B40DA02-6AA9-41C3-9C26-E8A2CFB04DF5 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Hearing Aids, Brain Function, and Cognitive Aging We are seeking an outstanding postdoctoral fellow for a two-year = position investigating how early hearing aid intervention influences = brain function and cognitive aging in a longitudinal intervention study = using fNIRS, EEG, physiological, and behavioral methods. The position is = based at the SMART Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University under the = supervision of Frank Russo and is part of a collaborative project = involving KITE=E2=80=93Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University = Health Network (Jennifer Campos), the University of Ottawa (Maxime = Perron), and Sonova, a global leader in hearing technology. Salary is $60,000=E2=80=93$70,000 CAD per year, depending on eligibility = and appointment circumstances. The longitudinal intervention study is = slated to begin in January 2027, with flexibility in the postdoctoral = start date between December 1, 2026 and May 1, 2027. Candidates with expertise in cognitive neuroscience, auditory science, = psychology, biomedical engineering, or related fields are encouraged to = apply. Experience with fNIRS and/or EEG is particularly welcome. = Interested applicants are invited to contact Frank Russo = (russo@xxxxxxxx <mailto:russo@xxxxxxxx>) on or before September = 1, 2026 for further information. Project Summary Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) degrades auditory input, increasing = reliance on cognitive control systems during speech-in-noise (SiN) = processing. While this compensatory recruitment can initially help = preserve performance, emerging evidence suggests that it may evolve into = neural inefficiency, characterized by increased prefrontal recruitment = without corresponding behavioral benefit. This increased neural demand = may contribute to listening fatigue and reduced communication = effectiveness and may represent one pathway linking hearing loss with = cognitive aging. A central challenge for hearing technology is that amplification does = not fully restore higher-level aspects of communication, including = speech understanding in noise and the perception of emotion in speech. = Better understanding the neural mechanisms underlying these = communication challenges, and how these mechanisms change due to early = hearing aid intervention, may therefore help inform future approaches to = hearing rehabilitation. The project will investigate whether early hearing aid intervention can = slow or alter the progression from compensatory neural recruitment = toward neural inefficiency in older adults. Using longitudinal = functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), EEG, salivary cortisol, = and behavioral, psychosocial and cognitive measures, we will track = changes in neural recruitment, listening effort, speech-in-noise = processing, emotional speech perception, psychosocial functioning, and = cognitive function over a two-year period. The project offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of = auditory neuroscience, cognitive aging, hearing technology, and = industry, within a highly collaborative research environment spanning = Toronto Metropolitan University, University Health Network, the = University of Ottawa, and Sonova. The rich multimodal dataset is = expected to support multiple publication opportunities, including papers = arising from the initial baseline dataset as well as longitudinal = analyses of hearing-aid intervention and neural, communication, and = cognitive outcomes. Findings are expected to provide mechanistic = insights into how early hearing aid intervention influences neural, = cognitive, and communication outcomes, helping to clarify when and for = whom hearing aid use may confer benefit. ________________________________ Frank A. Russo, PhD Professor (Full), Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Toronto Metropolitan = University Professor (Status), Faculties of Music and Medicine, University of = Toronto Adjunct Scientist, KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University = Health Network Scientific Director, SMART <http://www.smartlaboratory.org/> Lab=20 Scientific Director, SingWell <https://www.singwell.ca/> Project Chief Science Officer, LUCID <https://www.lucidtherapeutics.com/> = Therapeutics Tel: 01-416-979-5000, x. 552647 (office), x. 554989 (lab) russo@xxxxxxxx --Apple-Mail=_2B40DA02-6AA9-41C3-9C26-E8A2CFB04DF5 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8 <html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"content-type" content=3D"text/html; = charset=3Dutf-8"></head><body style=3D"overflow-wrap: break-word; = -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><h3>Hearing = Aids, Brain Function, and Cognitive Aging</h3><p>We are seeking an = outstanding postdoctoral fellow for a <strong>two-year = position</strong> investigating how early hearing aid intervention = influences brain function and cognitive aging in = a <strong>longitudinal intervention study</strong> using = fNIRS, EEG, physiological, and behavioral methods. The position is based = at the SMART Lab at <b>Toronto Metropolitan University </b>under the = supervision of <b>Frank Russo</b> and is part of a collaborative = project involving KITE=E2=80=93Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, = University Health Network (Jennifer Campos), the University of Ottawa = (Maxime Perron), and Sonova, a global leader in hearing = technology.</p><div><p><strong>Salary is $60,000=E2=80=93$70,000 CAD per = year, depending on eligibility and appointment = circumstances.</strong> The longitudinal intervention study is = slated to begin in January 2027, with flexibility in the postdoctoral = start date between <b>December</b><strong> 1, 2026 and May 1, = 2027</strong>.</p><p>Candidates with expertise in cognitive = neuroscience, auditory science, psychology, biomedical engineering, or = related fields are encouraged to apply. Experience with fNIRS and/or EEG = is particularly welcome. Interested applicants are invited to = contact <strong>Frank Russo (</strong><a = href=3D"mailto:russo@xxxxxxxx"><strong>russo@xxxxxxxx</strong></a>= <strong>)</strong> on or before <b>September 1, 2026</b> for = further information.</p><h3>Project Summary</h3><p>Age-related hearing = loss (ARHL) degrades auditory input, increasing reliance on cognitive = control systems during speech-in-noise (SiN) processing. While this = compensatory recruitment can initially help preserve performance, = emerging evidence suggests that it may evolve into neural = inefficiency, characterized by increased prefrontal recruitment without = corresponding behavioral benefit. This increased neural demand may = contribute to listening fatigue and reduced communication effectiveness = and may represent one pathway linking hearing loss with cognitive = aging.</p><p>A central challenge for hearing technology is that = amplification does not fully restore higher-level aspects of = communication, including speech understanding in noise and the = perception of emotion in speech. Better understanding the neural = mechanisms underlying these communication challenges, and how these = mechanisms change due to early hearing aid intervention, may = therefore help inform future approaches to hearing = rehabilitation.</p><p>The project will investigate whether early hearing = aid intervention can slow or alter the progression from = compensatory neural recruitment toward neural inefficiency in older = adults. Using longitudinal functional near-infrared spectroscopy = (fNIRS), EEG, salivary cortisol, and behavioral, psychosocial and = cognitive measures, we will track changes in neural recruitment, = listening effort, speech-in-noise processing, emotional speech = perception, psychosocial functioning, and cognitive function over a = two-year period.</p><p>The project offers an opportunity to work at the = intersection of auditory neuroscience, cognitive aging, hearing = technology, and industry, within a highly collaborative research = environment spanning Toronto Metropolitan University, University Health = Network, the University of Ottawa, and Sonova. The rich multimodal = dataset is expected to support multiple publication opportunities, = including papers arising from the initial baseline dataset as well as = longitudinal analyses of hearing-aid intervention and neural, = communication, and cognitive outcomes. Findings are expected to provide = mechanistic insights into how early hearing aid intervention influences = neural, cognitive, and communication outcomes, helping to clarify when = and for whom hearing aid use may confer benefit.</p></div><div> <meta charset=3D"UTF-8"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, = 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, = 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: = none; overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: = after-white-space;"><div style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: = rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; = font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; = text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: = normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; = text-decoration: none;">________________________________<br>Frank A. = Russo, PhD<br>Professor (Full), Psychology, Faculty of Arts, = Toronto Metropolitan University<br>Professor (Status), Faculties = of Music and = Medicine, University of Toronto<br>Adjunct Scientist, = KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health = Network<br>Scientific Director, <a = href=3D"http://www.smartlaboratory.org">SMART</a> Lab <br>Scient= ific Director, <a = href=3D"https://www.singwell.ca">SingWell</a> Project<br>Chief = Science Officer, <a = href=3D"https://www.lucidtherapeutics.com">LUCID</a> Therapeutics</di= v><div style=3D"caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); = font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; = font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; = text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: = normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; = text-decoration: none;">Tel: 01-416-979-5000, x. 552647 (office), = x. 554989 = (lab)<br>russo@xxxxxxxx</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div= ></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><= /div></div></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <br></body></html>= --Apple-Mail=_2B40DA02-6AA9-41C3-9C26-E8A2CFB04DF5-- --Apple-Mail=_3A6B6FC7-80D1-46FC-BFF8-4C7EE8C9D565 Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=smime.p7s Content-Type: application/pkcs7-signature; name=smime.p7s Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 MIAGCSqGSIb3DQEHAqCAMIACAQExDzANBglghkgBZQMEAgEFADCABgkqhkiG9w0BBwEAAKCCAzQw ggMwMIICGKADAgECAgrEBJqK29vYkTXGMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBCwUAMEYxFDASBgNVBAMTC0ZyYW5r IFJ1c3NvMSEwHwYJKoZIhvcNAQkBFhJydXNzb0B0b3JvbnRvbXUuY2ExCzAJBgNVBAYTAlVTMB4X DTI0MDkwNDE5NTQyMFoXDTI5MDkwNDE5NTQyMFowRjEUMBIGA1UEAxMLRnJhbmsgUnVzc28xITAf BgkqhkiG9w0BCQEWEnJ1c3NvQHRvcm9udG9tdS5jYTELMAkGA1UEBhMCVVMwggEiMA0GCSqGSIb3 DQEBAQUAA4IBDwAwggEKAoIBAQCyKQWDOPBrk7cYS5S7pCDuoi8Ht5piUN+IK8o/Y9QywO7s0iMe ZXG5kPbTiCptk3ZhI6J6r+wyPetzPlJDO+dDsRMECzq6w96lKqx7U6pcDfaWXGOLI8Biu0ObQJ6l NLKzeGXMnx5nVK6RGcQZYdg+4gZD5RWSK2WumlBS3Ykfi0ckUtzlv6Nt+QMKeo3v/tJU81ndDJfo VGDTx6t2CxM/a6DUoklHI+MX8WxubOpt19kjXv+i2a8KE1LB4DZJjRQOhZwtRSvhSCy83JMwS3Kr UtnkaICm+GQsOzGWSm2fszEmUbJoL2orv4Gb1+wO5wgO+5Ia9Lmc7ywWnPfXPrJVAgMBAAGjIDAe MA8GCSqGSIb3LwEBCgQCBQAwCwYDVR0PBAQDAgeAMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBCwUAA4IBAQBnk0N/mKoD v6Du4vTbBMGzFWHHPy5qbLI9NaFpbIMJ8ZlNko8uYWggtHmAKCpcg48luO5CNxqJLbZ5V9fz2ZK4 AkiBHJwt7rcTmLFy9xBypkK+7epWtlV0qH83oZICcGHel352XrDO6Q7rn4Me1vRYWgbAFuWsmg+C Xje14Ya8a4sbF1BLxtwPgX9Mz06NqiHBJ1UZwoMx/vRKUrR105zwzb9uHmj50OYcvsA3OKD19IcG C0hg71QEBzZExOaoVGXalN35l362P2JI/jGH/S2jIUr2bgwPTowPum9jTTVvoiuodGLT4zjA7D+I SsVLaCrz+aAg9ktggqv0KZtuE+i4MYIB6jCCAeYCAQEwVDBGMRQwEgYDVQQDEwtGcmFuayBSdXNz bzEhMB8GCSqGSIb3DQEJARYScnVzc29AdG9yb250b211LmNhMQswCQYDVQQGEwJVUwIKxASaitvb 2JE1xjANBglghkgBZQMEAgEFAKBpMBgGCSqGSIb3DQEJAzELBgkqhkiG9w0BBwEwHAYJKoZIhvcN AQkFMQ8XDTI2MDgxNjE3MzgxOVowLwYJKoZIhvcNAQkEMSIEIHuNTSaEWmmXMwLskCcgTyuuTCLs HVt+PQVVV1KbrTivMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBCwUABIIBAD5JzF6BuHSNmGd03Gi1MrlO7LNI9Nn2liai mbpIKi1ljpeqSIZxYBxS2FjycJw6InAOQB2vKWVAe3BHM7iS5E85icvS58yXCMBULRqtEetlWCzs GcCiQxTl9pHlvgQh77kBTlzT+GFqTKrVoQq00Bs1IkBhi+/veso098MCMVXhSqFCyOKvd/klREU8 HnAWMfVbEVyfKE9vnQg0c1Bavdf0eJFZZAHj93tsFMIuxNdflC3OZCeZzbz/agmw9ZabmA6/a/Mi JgzR1DHTUlHXlvD6vDTaMUZtXAAbpB39/UjM0ojbE/zD5UfLD4d7dHmyOVssoVcvo+hdbdqH5HkV AnoAAAAAAAA= --Apple-Mail=_3A6B6FC7-80D1-46FC-BFF8-4C7EE8C9D565--