Research Faculty

Research Interests: The overall goal of our current research project is to specify how perceptual and cognitive abilities interact to determine relative benefits of sensory devices for children with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss. 

Dr. Firszt's clinical and research interests include bilateral and unilateral cochlear implants in adults and children, asymmetric hearing and unilateral haring loss, speech recognition, behavioral and electrophysiologic measures with electrical stimulation and optimization of speech processor mapping.

Dr. Hirose's clinical interests include pediatric hearing loss, cochlear implantation, chronic ear surgery, cholesteatoma, conductive hearing loss, aural atresia, BAHA, ear infections, speech disorders, velopharyngeal insufficiency, cleft palate, craniofacial disorders.

The goal of the Kim Lab is to characterize the properties of sound coding and processing in the cochlea and along the auditory pathway through in vivo real-time monitoring of sound-evoked multicellular activities. Additionally, we aim to identify the transport mechanisms responsible for ototoxic drug entry into the cochlea via in vivo drug tracking and subsequently develop pathway blockers to prevent drug-induced hearing loss.

Dr. Lieu’s clinical interests include pediatric otitis media, chronic middle ear disease, hearing loss, tonsillitis, snoring and sleep apnea, head and neck masses, voice and airway problems, and nasal and sinus disease. She has research interests in pediatric hearing loss, particularly unilateral hearing loss, and effects on quality of life.

Identifying the states and roles of T cell subsets and dendritic cells in the suppressive tumor microenvironments using different types of tumor models; dissecting molecular mechanisms responsible for the dysfunctions of T cells and dendritic cells in tumors; and developing novel and effective strategies for tumor vaccines and anti-tumor immunotherapies.

Dr. McClannahan's research examines the interaction between age-related hearing loss and cognitive aging. She will starting up her Auditory Wellness and Health Aging Lab in the CID at WUSM building.