2026 Updates

Department of Hearing and Speech faculty member Lauren Mann, Ph.D., was a special guest on "All Things Brain Health," a video series from The University of Kansas Health System. In the episode, she discusses her research into how music and rhythm can improve recovery from concussion and cognitive decline due to age.

KU Medical Center News published an article highlighting research led by lab director Lauren Mann, Ph.D. With co-investigators Michael Rippee, M.D., from the School of Medicine, and Linda D’Silva, Ph.D., from the Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training, she is working to develop a novel way to help patients with concussion

2025 Updates

AURA lab director Lauren Mann, Au.D., was a special expert guest on All Things Brain Health, a regular YouTube series from The University of Kansas Health System. In this episode, "Your Brain on Music!" they discuss new research to treat audiological conditions through the power of music. Listen.

Ghina Fares, doctoral student in the AURA Lab, shared her project on Saccadometry following concussion at the 2025 Starkey University Conference in Eden Prairie MI. She also presented this important work at the 2025 National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research Conference.

Department of Hearing and Speech faculty member Lauren Mann, Au.D., was a special expert guest on All Things Brain Health, a regular YouTube series from The University of Kansas Health System. In this episode, "The Hearing-Brain Connection: How Hearing Loss May Be Linked to Dementia," they discuss the latest research and how early intervention could make a difference in the lives of patients. Listen.

Lauren Mann, co-director of the AURA Lab, was featured in a video from KMBC 9 News discussing the widespread need for hearing aids. She is part of a team with staff of The University of Kansas Health System that recycles and redistributes used hearing aids. The Hearing Aid Project is an upcycling program housed on our campus and it reached a major milestone, fitting its 1,000th patient. Our audiology students sort and refurbish the devices, which are then offered at no cost to patients across the country.

Lauren Mann, co-director of the AURA Lab, was selected for a competitive research training opportunity, the 2025 Midwest Research Skills Workshop. The purpose of this three day program is to hone critical skills in two important areas of research life: 1) how to write papers, grants, and protocols, 2) how to develop skills in time management, work-life balance, negotiation, and other areas essential to careers in academia. The workshop consists of classroom sessions, small group breakouts for protocol and grant critiques, and interactive panels to review successful career approaches of renowned faculty.

Mallory Miller of the AURA Lab served on the planning committee for the 2025 American Balance Society's national conference and presented a poster on the management of vestibular symptoms following concussion.

Lauren Mann, co-director of the AURA Lab, was a guest on the news podcast "Open Mics with Dr. Stites" discussing new tinnitus treatment developments.

Ghina Fares, doctoral student in the AURA Lab, presented her research poster at the 2025 Starkey University Conference in Minnesota.

2024 Updates

Ghina Fares, doctoral student in the AURA Lab, was selected as one of only 3 nationwide recipients of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Graduate Scholarship; a scholarship for international students pursuing graduate studies in the United States.

Ali Jamos, doctoral student in the AURA Lab, presented a research poster entitled "Diet quality and hearing loss: The relationship between dietary patterns and hearing loss among older adults" at the 2024 Kansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association conference.

Lauren Mann and Mallory Miller of the AURA Lab co-presented a talk at the 2024 Current Concepts in Concussion Management conference on team-based assessment of auditory and vestibular symptoms following concussion. Dr. Mann served on the planning committee for the 6th year.