Q&A with Senior Scientist Karen Gordon
Karen Gordon is passionate about making a difference for children with hearing loss. As a Senior Scientist at the Research Institute in the Neuroscience and Mental Health Program and the Director of Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory, Karen interacts with a world leading team to investigate new ways to improve hearing in children with hearing loss.Last week, we introduced you to Robin Hayeems, a recent recipient of a New Investigator Research Grant, which provides support to child health researchers early in their careers. In 2006-07, Karen was a successful recipient of the same program, receiving funding in support of her research project: Auditory development promoted by bilateral cochlear implantation.
Today, we will hear about Karen’s research in cochlear implantation and learn how the New Investigator Research Grant has made an impact on the important work she is doing.
"It has been inspiring to learn how children develop and adapt to this very special type of hearing. "
I first started working at SickKids in January 1994 as a clinical audiologist. In 1997, I decided to pursue a PhD. I set up a laboratory at SickKids with Dr. Blake Papsin in the Cochlear Implant Program to undertake my graduate studies under the supervision of Dr. Robert Harrison. Once I graduated with my PhD in 2006, and with two children of my own, I proceeded as Principle Investigator of the lab.
Why did you choose to work at SickKids?
I chose to work at SickKids because it provides a wonderful opportunity to work with a very special group of families and children with hearing loss. I also get to work with an exceptional team which understands the importance of clinical research. They help to drive the questions that we seek to answer in our research and implement in clinical practise.
For those who may not have heard about cochlear implantation, please provide a little insight on what kind of an impact it can have on a child.
The marvel of cochlear implants is that they bypass profound impairments in the ear and help to stimulate the auditory nerve with electrical pulses. This means that many children who could not hear, even with the strongest hearing aids, can access the sounds around them.
It has been inspiring to learn how children develop and adapt to this very special type of hearing. However, we have also learned that hearing through a cochlear implant can have its challenges. Our research efforts are focused on methods to improve hearing for these children, which includes providing them with hearing in both ears.
When you decided to apply for a New Investigator Research Grant, how did you decide on your focus?
We realized children were developing unique listening skills because cochlear implant hearing works very differently from normal hearing. This led us to study how the auditory brain adapts to being deprived of hearing and then listening through a cochlear implant. We have been striving to give children access to spatial hearing (the cues that we use to localize sound sources) because this provides important information when listening in most environments. Many of these cues come from comparisons between the sounds arriving at our two ears. Our interest in the auditory brain is important because it is here where information from our two ears must be integrated.
How did the New Investigators Research Grant impact your research?
It is important for a new investigator to establish a track record as soon as possible. When I received my grant back in 2006-07, it was one of the only grants of its type. It was the first major funding that I received and was a catalyst for my future funding from national sources, including the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. It provided important financial support during a crucial time in my work and allowed me to establish my track record with limited delay.
Why is the New Investigators Research Grant program so important?
The program recognizes the unique position that early researchers are in and provides that first initial funding for new projects. It may also provide a boost of confidence at an important time. With this in mind, the grant provides the right mix for a promising scientist to gain the footing he or she needs to succeed in medical research.
