William “Jason” Riggs, Au.D.
Meet the Researcher
Riggs received his doctorate of audiology from the Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium. He is a research scientist in the department of otolaryngology– head and neck surgery at The Ohio State University. His 2019 Emerging Research Grant is generously funded by Royal Arch Research Assistance.
Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is a unique form of hearing loss estimated to affect approximately 10 to 20 percent of all children who have severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. It results in abnormal auditory perception. I have always been intrigued by this unique hearing disorder and felt that a better understanding of the underlying site of injury in pediatric patients diagnosed with ANSD will lead to improved diagnostic tools and optimal outcomes.
To do this, I first researched the electrical activities of cells using different pitches of sound (that is, “acoustically evoked”). The next step was to investigate sounds that are “electrically evoked” (that is, delivering electrical currents through the use of cochlear implants). This allowed me to design a paradigm that uniquely targets both sides of the hair cell/auditory nerve synapse. Results from this project can then be used to optimize and impact care from the very beginning of cochlear implant use in children with ANSD.
Growing up I always had a passion for music and understanding how things worked. However, my interest in science began to take hold in high school when I took my first human anatomy and physiology course. I was beyond fascinated by the complex processes that take place within the body. During college, I began to shadow various types of medical professionals and decided the auditory system was a good fit for me.
I personally have dealt with moderate tinnitus since I was about 18 years old. Having grown up working for the family business—construction—I, unfortunately, worked around loud machinery without hearing protection. This certainly influenced my decision to pursue a career in
hearing science. However, studying tinnitus in addition to suffering from it was somewhat off-putting and in fact made me think about it much more, which only made things worse! That said, if I had not become a researcher I would have continued to work in the family business—and since I started my studies, the company is careful about using hearing protection now!
I am an avid runner and enjoy long-distance runs. I find it not only relaxing but also the best way to help clear my thoughts and think about new ideas or concepts for my current research. Thanks to my grandmother, I grew up learning to play the ukulele. I continue to play this instrument and find its sound unique and relaxing.
William “Jason” Riggs, Au.D., is a Royal Arch Research Assistance award recipient. Hearing Health Foundation thanks the Royal Arch Masons for their ongoing commitment to research in the area of central auditory processing disorder.
The Research
The Ohio State University
Electrophysiological characteristics in children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder
This project will focus on understanding different sites of lesion (impairment) in children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). ANSD is a unique form of hearing loss that is thought to occur in approximately 10 to 20 percent of all children with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and results in abnormal auditory perception. Neural encoding processes of the auditory nerve in children using electrophysiologic techniques (acoustically and electrically evoked) will be investigated in order to provide objective evidence of peripheral auditory function. Results can then be used to optimize and impact care from the very beginning of cochlear implant use in children with this impairment.
Long-term goal: To use objective techniques to further target and investigate physiologic properties of the auditory system, which can be used to better understand the underlying lesion/impairment; and to improve clinical cochlear implant mapping strategies for children with ANSD through the information gleaned from objective electrophysiologic testing.