Patti M. Johnstone, Ph.D.
Research Interests
The focus of my research with students and colleagues involves hearing in children, specifically: spatial and binaural hearing; aided and prosthetic hearing; informational masking; and hearing loss prevention.
Graduate students and I are starting a major research project, funded by the American Academy of Audiology Foundation, investigating the effect of personal amplification on sound localization ability in children with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
Other studies with UT colleague, Dr. Michael Kotowski, investigate the efficacy of specific messages and media in conveying the hazards of leisure (nonoccupational) excessive noise exposure to young people and in persuading them to take measures to protect their hearing.
Education
- B.A., Loma Linda University (1981)
- M.A., University of Buffalo (SUNY) (1983)
- M.A., University of Buffalo (SUNY) (1984)
- Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison (2006)
Recent Honors and Awards
- 2008 - American Academy of Audiology Foundation (2008-2009)
Awarded funding to complete a research project entitled: Sound Source Identification Ability and Minimum Audible Angle Thresholds in Children with Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss: The Effect of Amplification. ($10,000)
- 2008 - Widex Pediatric Hearing Assistance Program – Loaner Network (2008-2009)
Clinic program grant that provides immediate access to advanced digital hearing aids as loaner hearing aids for infants and young children during the waiting period for their permanent personal amplification solution. ($10,000)
- 2008 - New Investigator Award, American Academy of Audiology Foundation. May/2008-Apr/2009, Awarded funding to complete a study at the University of Tennessee entitled: Sound Source Identification Ability and Minimum Audible Angle Thresholds in Children with Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss: The Effect of Amplification.
- 2007 - Alexander Graham Bell Cochlear Implant Fellowship (2007-2008)
Training grant to provide graduate-level clinical training to an audiology graduate student at the University of Tennessee in aural habilitation services to children with cochlear implants. ($15,000)
- 2004 - Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (Individual Fellowship), Sept/2004-Aug/2006, Awarded fellowship to complete dissertation research project Stimulus Uncertainty in a “Cocktail Party” Environment (NIH/NIDCD Research Grant F31-DC006785-01A1).
Representative Publications
- Johnstone, P.M. and Litovsky, R.Y. Informational masking and spatial asymmetry in a “cocktail party” environment. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. (in submission)
- Johnstone, P.M. and Litovsky, R.Y. (2006). Effect of masker type and age on speech intelligibility and spatial release from masking in children and adults. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 120, 2177-2189.
- Litovsky, R.Y, Johnstone, P.M., and Godar, S. (2006). Benefits of bilateral cochlear implants and/or hearing aids in children. International Journal of Audiology, 45, 1-13.
- Litovsky, R.Y., Johnstone, P.M., Godar, S., Agrawal, S., Parkinson, A., Peters, R., Lake, J. (2006). Bilateral cochlear implants in children: Localization acuity measured with minimum audible angle. Ear & Hearing, 27(1), 43-59.
Courses Taught
- ASP 613- Externship in Audiology
- ASP 547- Clinical Education Seminars
Contact Information
Patti M. Johnstone
Assistant Professor
Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology
University of Tennessee
444 S. Stadium Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996-0740
Phone: (865) 974-3319
Email: pjohnst1@utk.edu
