Staff profiles

The Cognition, Development and Assistive Technologies Group.

Paula’s main research interests are associated with auditory perception and hearing impairment. In particular, she is interested in designing and evaluating self-administered, computer-based auditory training approaches for use with adults who have cochlear implants. Although cochlear implantation improves the ability of profoundly-totally deaf adults to understand speech, outcomes vary widely. Paula’s research ultimately aims to improve speech perception and quality of life amongst adults who achieve poorer outcomes from cochlear implantation.

Paula continues to collaborate with her former PhD supervisor, Professor Quentin Summerfield, from the University of York. She is also currently working with clinicians at the Nottingham Adult Cochlear Implant Programme and with scientists at the MRC Institute of Hearing Research.

• 2006-2007, Deafness Research UK, £3k, for project entitled ‘Maximising outcomes for adult cochlear-implant users by auditory training’ (with Professor A Q Summerfield, University of York).

• Graduated from the University of Nottingham in 1999 with a first class degree in Psychology.
• Awarded the KM Stott Prize for best thesis in Psychology by the University of York, for her PhD entitled 'Studies of Auditory Training to Improve Speech Perception by Adult Cochlear-Implant Users'.
• Paula has acted as a reviewer for the British Journal of Psychology.

Paula would be happy to supervise students in any area of auditory perception, but would particularly encourage applications from anyone interested in auditory training and in improving outcomes for cochlear-implant users.