DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

3/14/2023

The Hearing Aid Laboratory at Northwestern University is looking for participants for a research study about how over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids impact how we listen and communicate with others. We are looking for adults with known or suspected mild-to-moderate hearing loss to bring a communication partner with them (i.e., spouse, friend, neighbor, adult child, etc.) to have a conversation together while wearing OTC hearing aids.

What to expect:

1. The study involves a total of 2 visits to our lab.
2. The first visit involves tests of memory, hearing, and communication with a partner for one visit to our lab, lasting approximately 2 hours. We will provide you with a free comprehensive hearing test, and you will be fit with OTC hearing aids during your visit to the lab.
3. The second visit involves a test of speech in background noise while wearing OTC hearing aids.

You may be eligible to participate if:

• You have diagnosed or suspected mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears

• You are 18 years or older

• You are able to bring someone with you to your first visit

• You have normal or corrected-to-normal vision (glasses, contacts)

• No history of neurologic, cognitive, or psychiatric disorders

The person you bring to the study with you is eligible if:

• They have no hearing loss, OR wear hearing aids consistently if they have hearing loss

• Are at least 18 years of age

• English is their primary language

• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision (glasses, contacts)

• No history of neurologic, cognitive, or psychiatric disorders

The study takes place in either Northwestern’s main campus at 2240 Campus Drive in Evanston, or at our downtown location at 710 N Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Visits will be scheduled at the located that is most convenient for you. 

If you are interested, please email us at halab@northwestern.edu or give us a call at 847-467-0897.

You can also fill out an initial interest form by clicking here.  

Principal Investigator: Dr. Pamela Souza

Study Title: Investigation of direct-to-consumer hearing aids on conversation efficiency and listening effort

IRB #: STU00217791

2/24/2023

The laboratories of Dr. Satoru Suzuki and Dr. Marcia Grabowecky are currently seeking healthy adults to participate in research on perception. Studies take place on the Northwestern University Evanston campus. Participants are compensated $15/hour for volunteering. Note: no transportation or parking costs will be covered.

If you are interested in participating, please contact our laboratory by telephone (847) 467-6539, or email for more information: perception.nu@gmail.com 

Once you contact the laboratory, you will be informed of studies in progress and their specific requirements (for example, handedness, age range, gender) and procedures. Typically, studies involve responding to images or sounds presented by a computer and last from 1-2 hours. Some studies also require responding to personality or mood questionnaires, or having physiological responses recorded (for example, brain waves or eye movements). The details of the particular study will be provided when you contact the laboratory. If you are interested in volunteering and you qualify to participate in any ongoing studies, an appointment will be scheduled.

Principal Investigators: Dr. Satoru Suzuki and Dr. Marcia Grabowecky

Study Title: Visual Adaptation, Selective Attention, and Shape Coding: An Integrative Investigation of Visual Attention; Understanding the Mechanisms that Control the Dynamics of Perceptual Switches 

IRB #: CR1_STU00013229 

2/22/2023

We’re inviting you to participate in a research study to help us understand how the brain, our cognitive abilities, and our linguistic skills help us understand and make sense of difficult speech! If you have normal hearing, speak English as your primary language, and are over 18 – you’re eligible!

This study can be completed either in Evanston at Northwestern’s main campus, or at our downtown Chicago location. This study will take about 2 hours and you will be compensated $15/hr for your time. You will be asked to answer some questionnaires, perform some cognitive tasks/games, and listen to some sentences and repeat back what you heard. You will also have your hearing tested as a part of this research. If you have hearing loss, you are unfortunately unlikely to be eligible for this study.

What will I have to do?

This study involves answering questionnaires, performing some behavioral tasks/games, and listening to sentences and repeating what you hear.

How much time will it take?

The study takes 1.5 - 2 hours and you have the opportunity to take breaks.  You will be paid $15 per hour for your time. 

Where will the study be held?

In the Frances Searle Building in Evanston, IL at Northwestern’s main campus, or in Abbott Hall in Chicago, IL at Northwestern’s downtown campus.

How can I find out more about the study?

Contact:  Andrew Burleson at the Northwestern Hearing Aid Lab (PI-Dr. Pamela Souza, PhD,) by email at halab@northwestern.edu or by phone at 847-467-0897. 

Principal Investigator: Dr. Pamela Souza, PhD

Study Title: Cognitive and Linguistic Correlates of Perceptual Restoration of Missing Speech

IRB #: STU00215158

2/20/2023

The Central Auditory Physiology Laboratory is looking for volunteers to participate in a study about hearing. The study takes place on the Northwestern University Evanston campus and will take about 2.5 hours to complete. Participants are paid $20 for their time.

Participation in the study involves:

● A hearing screening activity

● Approximately 30 minutes of DPOAE measurements where no active response is required from you. You can watch Netflix or take a nap while sounds are played in your ear through a headphone.

● An approximately 1 hour EEG, where no active response is required from you (you can even take a nap). Sticker electrodes are placed behind one ear and on your forehead. An earphone electrode will be placed in one of your ears and sounds will be played through it.

You are eligible to participate if:

● You are between 30-50 years of age

● You have no known hearing loss in either ear

● You do not have a history of frequent middle ear infections, ear diseases, or ear surgery

● You do not have a history of noise exposure (e.g., shooting guns, working around loud machinery, or frequently being around loud music without hearing protection)

If you are interested or if you have any other questions, please email mayahecksel2024@u.northwestern.edu

Principal Investigator: Dr. Jason Sanchez

Study Title: Characterizing the relationship between distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and auditory brainstem responses (ABR) level growth functions in individuals with normal hearing

IRB #: STU00217879

2/17/2023

The Central Auditory Physiology Laboratory is looking for volunteers to participate in a study about hearing in noisy environments. The study takes place on the Northwestern University Evanston campus and will take about 2 hours to complete. Participants are paid $20/hour for their time.

Participation in the study involves:

• A routine hearing test (a copy of the results can be provided upon request)
• Hearing tasks such as listening to and repeating sentences played against background noise
• A 30-minute EEG, where no active response is required from you (you can even take a nap). Sticker electrodes are placed behind each ear and on the forehead, and sounds are played in your right ear.

You are eligible to participate if:

• You are between 30-50 years of age
• You have no known hearing loss in either ear
• Your first language is English

If you are interested, please email us at caplab.hhl.study@gmail.com or fill out this interest form, and a study team member will get back to you shortly.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Jason Sanchez

Study Title: Role of Temporal Coding in HHL

IRB #: STU00215893

2/10/2023

This project will explore a new application of a diagnostic tool that can detect hearing loss with only a small probe placed inside of the ear.

You could be eligible if you: Are between the ages of 18 and 59. Perceive mild to moderate trouble hearing.

If eligible you could: Participate for 1-2 hours, in visits scheduled at your convenience (including evenings and weekends). Receive $20 per hour of your time.

Learn more about your hearing difficulties:

This project has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Northwestern University with Kennedy Williams and Dr. Sumitrajit Dhar as Principal Investigators ( STU00000295). This project is funded by Northwestern University.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact Kennedy Williams at kennedywilliams2023@u.northwestern.edu .

Principal Investigators: Kennedy Williams and Dr. Sumitrajit Dhar

Study Title: Otoacoustic emissions and auditory behavior

IRB #: STU00000295

1/25/2023

We are seeking young people who are concerned about recent changes in mood, thinking or behavior. This research project aims to increase understanding of mental health concerns in young people and how to prevent the development of a more serious mental illness such as psychosis.

You may be eligible for the study if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Ages 12 - 30
• Noticing a recent change in thinking, behavior, or experiences, such as:
• Confusion about what is real or imaginary
• Feeling not in control of your own thoughts of ideas
• Feeling suspicious or paranoid
• Having experiences that may not be real, such as hearing sounds or seeing things that may not be there
• Having trouble communicating clearly

The study would entail visits over a 2-year period, and you would be paid $30 per hour for your participation.  Eligible participants will be asked to come in for various assessments including:

• clinical interviews
• biological assessments (MRI & EEG brain scans; blood and saliva testing)
• cognitive testing

If you are interested, please email us at adapt@northwestern.edu or fill out this online eligibility survey, and a member of our team will get back to you shortly.

Principal investigator: Dr. Vijay Mittal
Study Title: ProNET
IRB #: STU00215145

1/11/2023

Northwestern's ADAPT Lab is looking for people worried about recent changes in their thoughts and perceptions.

The purpose of this study is to see how unusual thoughts, suspiciousness or paranoia, and unusual experiences with seeing or hearing things that are not really there can be used to predict risk of psychosis through computerized tasks. The study will be conducted online through Northwestern University.

You may be eligible if experiencing one or more of the following:
- Unusual thoughts
- Questioning if things are real or imaginary
- Suspiciousness or paranoia
- A sense of having special powers or unrealistic plans for the future
- Unusual experiences with seeing or hearing things that are not there

An initial screening will be done. Then, if the study is found to be a good fit, you will be invited to participate in the main study. Participants will be compensated $30 per hour.

Visit our website for more information or to set up a confidential screening. You can also call (847) 467-5907. If you are younger than 18, please have your parent/guardian reach out.

Principal investigator: Dr. Vijay Mittal
Study Title: CAPR
IRB #: STU00211351

10/31/2022

The Auditory Research Laboratory at Northwestern University is looking for volunteers to participate in a study that examines early signs of auditory aging. Participation involves sitting quietly and listening to sounds while we make measurements with a small microphone in your ear canal. You may read a book or watch Netflix/Hulu with subtitles during these measurements. Other tasks will require active participation where you will respond when you hear a sound.

You could be eligible if:

• You are between 18-23, 30-39, or 50-59 years of age
• You have no known hearing loss or perceived difficulty hearing in either ear
• You do not have a history of middle ear infections, other ear disease, or ear surgery
• You do not have a history of noise exposure (e.g., shooting guns, working around loud machinery, or frequently being around loud music without hearing protection)
• You are able to travel to our laboratory on Northwestern University’s Evanston Campus

You could:

• Participate for 1-6 hours, in visits scheduled at your convenience (including evenings and weekends)
• Receive $20 per hour of participation
• Receive reimbursement for your travel expenses
• Receive a hearing evaluation

This project has been reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (STU00000295) with Dr. Sumitrajit Dhar as the Principal Investigator.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Courtney Glavin at courtneyglavin@u.northwestern.edu.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Sumitrajit Dhar 

Study Title: Otoacoustic emissions and auditory behavior

IRB #: STU00000295 

10/18/22

The Cognitive Neuroscience Lab in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern is recruiting volunteers to participate in sleep research (STU00034353)

 Compensation is provided for studies ($12.50/hr)

You can participate in Chicago or at our sleep lab on the Evanston campus.

 To sign up and learn more about the The Paller Lab, visit:  www.northwestern.edu/people/kap/apply 

Principal Investigator: Dr. Ken Paller

Study Title: Strategically strengthening declarative memories during sleep: Learning, Creative Problem-Solving, REM Sleep, and Dreaming

IRB# STU00034353-MOD0044

4/27/22

To better understand the types of men who would be interested in male contraception, we are distributing a short survey from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California about men’s views on gender roles and their use of healthcare services. The survey is an anonymous survey that shouldn’t take more than 10-15 minutes to complete. Upon completing the survey, you’ll be invited to submit your contact information to be entered in a raffle for a $20 gift certificate. To be eligible for the survey you must identify as a male/man, be between the ages of 18-50, be English speaking, and you must have had at least one female sexual partner within your lifetime.

If you are interested in participating, access the survey by clicking on the following link:  https://redcap.link/whatmendo

Thank you and do not hesitate to reach out with any questions to Dr. Brian T. Nguyen’s research assistant, Tamar Jacobsohn at tamar.jacobsohn@nih.gov

Principal Investigator: Brian Nguyen

Study Title: Gender Equitable Ideas and Hormonal Male Contraception

UP-22-00079

4/12/22

We are using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans to better understand how a treatment called Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (AIH) can improve motor function following spinal cord injury. In this research study, we study how brain function and blood flow of the brain and spinal cord change after AIH, and how this relates to improvements in hand movements. 

Participants in this study will:

• Attend 1 session at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab or Northwestern University’s Center for Translational Imaging, lasting about 4–6 hours.
• Undergo two MRI scans of the brain and spinal cord, each lasting about 1 hour.
• Between MRI scans, receive AIH therapy. Participants will breathe through a facemask and be provided with brief episodes of lower levels of oxygen, alternating with normal room air.
• Complete measurements of hand grip strength before and after the therapy.
• Participants will be compensated for their time.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18-60 years
• History of a motor incomplete spinal cord injury between the levels of C2-T1.
• At least 6 months since spinal cord injury.
• No cardiac or respiratory instability.
• Participants must meet additional eligibility criteria that we will screen for, once contacted.

Note: We are also recruiting participants without Spinal Cord Injury for this study.

If interested in learning more and to check if you are eligible, please contact Prof. Molly Bright at anvil@northwestern.edu quoting study reference “AIHphys” or call (312) 503-5870.

Study title:  Neurovascular mechanisms of intermittent hypoxia induced neural plasticity (STU00209651)

4/12/22

The Visual Thinking Lab at Northwestern University is currently seeking paid volunteers to participate in a research study investigating visual attention and memory.

You will perform various visual attention & memory tasks on a computer. Experimental sessions are 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 2 hours long. Each participant will be compensated at the rate of $13/hour.

To participate, you must be an adult (18+) and have normal or corrected to normal vision.

Please contact northwestern.visionlab@gmail.com if interested in participating. For more information, call us at 846-467-0675 or visit our website http://visualthinking.psych.northwestern.edu/.

PI: Steven Franconeri | IRB# STU00017701

3/16/22

The Kahnt Lab is recruiting participants for a study investigating how
different parts of the brain support decision-making.

The study will take place at the Kahnt Lab (located on the Chicago
campus of Northwestern University). Participants will be asked to come
in up to 8 times, with visits ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Some of
the visits will occur on consecutive days. During some of the visits,
participants will be asked to smell different food odors and may be
asked to eat a meal matching one of the food odors. Additionally,
participants may be asked to undergo MRI scans of the brain and to
undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Participants will be
paid $20 per hour for behavioral tasks and $30 per hour for MRI/TMS
tasks. Upon completion of all study visits, participants may be eligible
for an additional $200 bonus.

If you are interested in participating, please complete the screening
survey for our Research Registry. Please email kahntlab@northwestern.edu with any questions!

PI: Thorsten Kahnt | IRB #STU00216104

2/28/22 

The Kahnt Lab is currently recruiting participants for a study investigating the effects of sleep deprivation on odor perception.

PI: Thorsten Kahnt | IRB #STU00215342

2/24/22

People between the ages 18-40 are able to participate in this study.

Participants will be asked to complete guided breathing and a smell test. Participation is expected to take about 45 minutes, will be located in Searle 11-524, and will compensate $15.

If you are interested, please contact the Olfaction Laboratory at (312) 503-7244. Or send an email to ZelanoLab@gmail.com

Principal Investigator: Dr. Christina Zelano

Study Title: How fast can you sniff?

IRB Study Number: STU00201747

2/24/22

The Olfaction Laboratory at Northwestern University is recruiting participants for our functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research.

Participants must be between the ages of 18-40 and not claustrophobic.

Participants will be asked to smell different odor stimuli and may be asked to undergo a fMRI scan of the brain. Participation will last between 30 minutes to 3 hours. Participants will be compensated $10-$40, depending on the length of the experiment, with a chance to win extra compensation depending on task performance.

If you are interested, please contact the Olfaction Laboratory at (312) 503-7244 .

Or send an email to ZelanoLab@gmail.com

Primary Investigator is Christina Zelano

Study Title: Perceptual Coding and Modulation of Odor Objects in Human Brain

IRB Study Number: STU00201746

11/9/21

Now recruiting for a research study in early psychosis!

If you are ages 18 to 40 and have been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia in the last 5 years, you may be eligible for a study at the ADAPT Program.

The study involves coming in for 2-3 visits for a total of 7 hours, and participants are compensated $30 per hour of their time for a total of $210. The purpose of the study is to examine verbal working memory in individuals with early psychosis. Participants are asked to complete clinical interviews, questionnaires, non-invasive brain stimulation, and an MRI scan.

Eligible individuals should meet the following:

• A diagnosis of psychotic disorder in the last 5 years
• No history of brain injury or neurological conditions
• No metal in body (such as metal implants, braces, pacemakers)
• No changes in medication in the past 6 weeks

If interested, please call 847-467-5907, email adapt@northwestern.edu, or visit our website: http://www.adaptprogram.com/brain-stimulation-and-working-memory-study.

You can also click HERE to see if you may be eligible, and a study team member will contact you.

Investigator: Vijay A. Mittal, Ph.D

Northwestern University, Department of Psychology

Study Title: Verbal Working Memory in Early Psychosis

STU#: STU00205279

10/27/21

Paid research participants ages 18-24 needed for a research study about youth and parent interaction!

Life-Span Development and Adolescent Development and Preventive Treatment Laboratories at Northwestern are looking for young men ages 18-24 and their parents to participate in a 2-visit research study.

The purpose of this study is to see how different experiences relate to emotional functioning, interactions with parents, and physiological responses to emotional contexts. Parents will be compensated a total of $250 across the two parts of the study, and their male children will be compensated a total of $300 across the two parts of the study. The study will take place on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus at a time that is convenient for you. For more information please call at 847-467-5907, email at adapt@northwestern.edu, or visit our website at http://www.adaptprogram.com/interactions-with-caregivers.

Principle Investigators: Claudia Haase, PhD and Vijay Mittal, PhD

Study Title: Emotion in Interaction with Youth and Parents

IRB Study Code: STU00205542

9/15/21

We are actively recruiting for a study on mood and phone use. Teens age 13-18 who use iPhones or Androids may be eligible. We are looking for teens with and without a history of depression. Teens may earn up to $519. Parents of individuals under 18 will also be compensated $25 for their time.

The study will consist of four total sessions – three virtual and one in person. The initial video call and in-person visit will take about 4 hours each. The remaining two video calls will take place approximately 6 and 12 months after the start of the study and will take about 2 hours each. Participation will also involve the use of a study-specific smartphone app throughout the 12-month study period.

Interested teens/parents can email us directly at NUCU@northwestern.edu or complete the contact form at https://sites.northwestern.edu/nearlab/participate/

Principal Investigator: Stewart Shankman, Ph.D.

IRB Study Code: STU00211494

9/14/21

Researchers at Northwestern are looking for young people ages 12-30 worried about recent changes in their thoughts, perceptions, and feelings to participate with their close relative, significant other, or parent in the Chat Study.

You may be eligible if experiencing one or more of the following:

-Unusual thoughts

-Questioning if things are real or imaginary

-Suspiciousness or paranoia

-A sense of having special powers or unrealistic plans for the future

-Unusual experiences with seeing or hearing things that are not there.

The purpose of this study is to see how such experiences relate to emotional functioning, interactions with parents, and physiological responses to emotional contexts. The study will take place on Northwestern’s Evanston campus in a full day or split into two visits.

An initial screening will compensate participants $75.00 for a 1.5 hour interview. Then, if the study is found to be a good fit, youth and their parent will be invited to participate in the main study. For the main study, youth will be compensated up to $300 and caregivers will be compensated up to $250.

For more information please call 847-467-5907, email adapt@northwestern.edu, or visit our website: http://www.adaptprogram.com/interactions-with-caregivers. If you are younger than 18, please have your parent/guardian reach out.

Investigators: Claudia Haase, Ph.D and Vijay A. Mittal, Ph.D

Study Title: Emotion in Interaction with Youth and Relatives

IRB Study Code: STU00205542