My research explores the effects of age-related hearing impairment on the production of voice and the enjoyment of amateur choral singing. It has been documented that participation in choral singing is beneficial for the aging auditory system, and, that many people in the age range pertinent to age-related hearing impairment participate in choral singing. But, it has not been documented how the aging auditory system affects the enjoyment of singing for people who have been singing for a majority of their lives. My research works to bridge that gap.
Using auditory neuroscience and musicological techniques, my DPhil project crosses audiometric examination and acoustic voice assessment with current theories of perception. This produces a new way of looking at the singing voice, considering the singer as a listener. It also provides insight into the experience of singing through age-related hearing impairment and the effects of hearing aids on music performance. This interdisciplinary research provides a new lens to consider the singing voice and aging through considerations of temporality, identity and social stigma.
