Graduate Students
Breann Krygsman, BSc – Master’s Student | Department of Psychology
Thesis:
Developing a Tool to Evaluate Auditory Emotion Perception Abilities in Cochlear Implant Users
For individuals with severe to profound hearing loss, cochlear implants (CIs) often restore meaningful access to speech. However, CI-mediated listening remains limited, and many users continue to experience persistent difficulty perceiving auditory emotions—even after extensive rehabilitation. Progress in this area has been hindered, in part, by the lack of assessment tools specifically designed to measure emotion‑perception deficits in CI users. This project aims to develop and validate the first free, accessible auditory assessment instrument tailored to evaluating emotion perception in CI users. By providing clinicians and researchers with a targeted, evidence‑based measurement tool, this work seeks to support more precise identification of rehabilitation needs and ultimately enhance the effectiveness of CI rehabilitation programs.
Thesis:
Developing a Tool to Evaluate Auditory Emotion Perception Abilities in Cochlear Implant Users
For individuals with severe to profound hearing loss, cochlear implants (CIs) often restore meaningful access to speech. However, CI-mediated listening remains limited, and many users continue to experience persistent difficulty perceiving auditory emotions—even after extensive rehabilitation. Progress in this area has been hindered, in part, by the lack of assessment tools specifically designed to measure emotion‑perception deficits in CI users. This project aims to develop and validate the first free, accessible auditory assessment instrument tailored to evaluating emotion perception in CI users. By providing clinicians and researchers with a targeted, evidence‑based measurement tool, this work seeks to support more precise identification of rehabilitation needs and ultimately enhance the effectiveness of CI rehabilitation programs.
Honours Thesis Students
Zoe Brisebois - Undergraduate student | Department of Psychology
Honours Thesis:
Developing an Electrophysiological Protocol to Measure Listening Effort - 3MP
Listening effort refers to the cognitive resources required to perceive and understand speech, particularly in difficult or noisy environments. This project investigates the neural underpinnings of listening effort, with a particular emphasis on alpha‑band brain activity. Because listening effort has traditionally been challenging to quantify objectively, this study uses electroencephalography (EEG) to capture real‑time neural fluctuations associated with increased cognitive load during listening tasks. By characterizing how the brain modulates activity in response to auditory challenges, this project aims to deepen our understanding of the neural mechanisms associated with listening effort and to provide insights that may inform future auditory rehabilitation strategies. Google Scholar | LinkedIn
Honours Thesis:
Developing an Electrophysiological Protocol to Measure Listening Effort - 3MP
Listening effort refers to the cognitive resources required to perceive and understand speech, particularly in difficult or noisy environments. This project investigates the neural underpinnings of listening effort, with a particular emphasis on alpha‑band brain activity. Because listening effort has traditionally been challenging to quantify objectively, this study uses electroencephalography (EEG) to capture real‑time neural fluctuations associated with increased cognitive load during listening tasks. By characterizing how the brain modulates activity in response to auditory challenges, this project aims to deepen our understanding of the neural mechanisms associated with listening effort and to provide insights that may inform future auditory rehabilitation strategies. Google Scholar | LinkedIn
Diego Siblal - Undergraduate student | Department of Psychology
Honours Thesis:
Hearing Health in Young Adults: Linking Anxiety and Confidence with Audiological Measures - 3MP (1st Prize)
Honours Thesis:
Hearing Health in Young Adults: Linking Anxiety and Confidence with Audiological Measures - 3MP (1st Prize)
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Kylee Trunks - Undergraduate student | Department of Psychology
Honours Thesis:
Auditory Rehabilitation and the Use of Effect Size and Clinical Significance Among Cochlear Implant Users
Auditory rehabilitation research has expanded significantly over recent decades, yet it is unclear whether current reporting practices reflect outcomes that are truly meaningful for cochlear implant (CI) users. This project conducts a systematic literature review to examine how studies involving CI users report and interpret effect sizes and clinical significance. By evaluating the presence, absence, and quality of these reporting practices, the project aims to identify prevailing trends, highlight gaps in current approaches, and pinpoint opportunities for improvement. Ultimately, the findings will help inform future recommendations for enhancing transparency, rigour, and clinical relevance in auditory rehabilitation research involving CI users.
Honours Thesis:
Auditory Rehabilitation and the Use of Effect Size and Clinical Significance Among Cochlear Implant Users
Auditory rehabilitation research has expanded significantly over recent decades, yet it is unclear whether current reporting practices reflect outcomes that are truly meaningful for cochlear implant (CI) users. This project conducts a systematic literature review to examine how studies involving CI users report and interpret effect sizes and clinical significance. By evaluating the presence, absence, and quality of these reporting practices, the project aims to identify prevailing trends, highlight gaps in current approaches, and pinpoint opportunities for improvement. Ultimately, the findings will help inform future recommendations for enhancing transparency, rigour, and clinical relevance in auditory rehabilitation research involving CI users.
Sebastien Paquette, PhD - Assistant Professor | Department of Psychology
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Alumni
William Riopelle - Honours Thesis Student | Psychology Department - 3MP (First Runner-Up)