Sara Tabatabaei
Academic Background: BA German Translation, Isfahan University
Current Program: MSc Audiology, email: sara.tabatabaei@dal.ca
Research Topic: Listening Effort and Cognitive Function in Adults with Cochlear Implants
Research Project: Many older adults experience age-related hearing loss, which can make conversations harder to follow and require greater mental effort. Over time, this extra effort may affect memory, cognitive abilities, and overall well-being. My research focuses on adults who use cochlear implants and examines how they understand speech in everyday settings, how much effort they exert while listening, and how these factors relate to memory and cognitive health. Although cochlear implants improve access to sound, we still do not fully understand how mentally demanding listening can be for users or whether reducing this effort could support healthier aging. By investigating these relationships, my goal is to highlight the benefits of cochlear implants beyond hearing alone and to show how they may help protect cognitive function, memory, and quality of life for older adults.
In my free time, I enjoy working out, traveling, and reading.
