Dr. Ajith Kumar U

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Dr. Ajith Kumar U

Professor of Audiology, Department of Audiology

Phone Office: 0821-2502180

Dr. Ajith Kumar U completed has earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degree from All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore following which he pursued a fellowship program at Northwestern University, Illinois. Currently he is a full-time Professor in the Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore. Prior to current assignment he has worked as faculty at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Dr MV Shetty College of Speech and Hearing, Mangalore.

Over past 15 years, he is involved in innovative research on understanding the multitude of factors contributing to successful hearing and auditory comprehension. The long-term goal of Dr. Ajith’s scientific career is to understand the brain mechanisms/plasticity involved in auditory comprehension/learning in individuals with normal hearing and hearing disorders. Few projects that he is currently involved looks at (i) training related brain plasticity in learning the non-native language in adults, (ii) neural mechanisms of speech perception and localization in individuals with hearing disorders (iii) role of auditory efferent system in hearing.

. Kumar, U. A., & Barman, A. (2002). Effect of efferent induced changes on acoustical reflex. International Journal of Audiology, 41, 144–148. URL%7C

2. Kumar, U. A., & Vanaja, C. . (2004). Functioning of olivocochlear bundle and speech perception in noise. Ear and Hearing, 25, 142–146. URL%7C

3. Kumar, U. A., & Jayaram, M. (2005). Auditory Processing in Individuals with Auditory Neuropathy. Behavioral and Brain Functions, 1, 21. File Attachments

4. Kumar U, A., & Jayaram, M. (2006). Prevalence and Audiological characteristics of auditory neuropathy. International Journal of Audiology, 45, 360-366. File Attachments

5. Wong, P. C. M., Kumar U, A., Parrish, T., & Dhar, S. (2008). Cortical mechanisms of speech perception in noise. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 51, 1026–1041. URL%7C

6. Kumar U, A., Maruthy, S., & Chandrakant, V. (2009). Distortion product otoacoustic emission: comparision of sequential vs simultaneous presentation of primary tones. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 61, 30–35. URL%7C

7. Kumar U, A., Mathew, K., Alexander, S. A., & Kiran, C. (2009). Output sound pressure levels of personal music systems and their effect on hearing. Noise & Health, 11(44), 132–140. https://doi.org/10.4103/1463-1741.53357

8. Margulis, E. H., Mlsna, L. M., Uppunda, A. K., Parrish, T. B., & Wong, P. C. M. (2009). Selective neyrophysiologic responses to mysic jn instruinentalists with different listening biographies. Human Brain Mapping, 30(1), 267–275. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.20503

9. Kumar U, A., & Bhat, V. (2009). Do size and site of tympanic membrane peroration correlate with the audiogram? Asian Journal of Ear Nose and Throat, 29–30. URL%7C

10. Methi, R., Avinash, & Kumar U, A. (2009). Development of sentencematerial for Quick Speech in Noise test (Quick SIN) in Kannada. Journal of Indian Speech and Hearing Association, 23(1), 59–65. URL%7C

11. Shetty, P., Sada, R. N., & Kumar U, A. (2010). Voice onset time as a percptual cue in voicing contrast in Tulu language. Indian Journal of Physics, 84(3), 291–299. URL%7C

12. Kumar, U. A., Hegde, M., & Mayaleela. (2010). Perceptual learning of non-native speech contrast and functioning of the olivocochlear bundle. International Journal of Audiology, 49(7), 488–496. https://doi.org/10.3109/14992021003645894

13. Kumar U, A. (2010). Personal Music systems: Do they pose risk for hearing loss. Noise and Vibration World Wide, 41(9), 9–12. internal-pdf://nvww_2010-3062401025/NVWW_2010.pdf

14. Ranjan, R., Bhat, J., & Kumar U, A. (2011). Cognition and Speech Perception in Noise. Language in India, 11, 542–546. URL%7C

15. Kumar U, A., & Sangamnatha, A. . (2011). Temporal processing across different age groups. Journl of American Accadmy of Audiology, 22(1), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.22.1.2

16. Kumar U, A., & Jayaram, M. (2011). Speech perception in individuals with auditory nueropathy. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 125, 236–245. URL%7C

17. Kumar U, A., & Sufian, S. (2012). Effect of intensity of primary tones on magnitude of contralateral suppression of DPOAE. Journal of Indian Speech and Hearing Association, 24(2), 84–89.

18. Kumar U, A., Ameenudin, S., & Sangamanatha, A. . V. (2012). Temporal and speech processing skills in normal hearing individuals exposed to occupational noise. Noise and Health, 14, 100–105. internal-pdf://noisehealth_2012_14_58_100_97252-0260689409/NoiseHealth_2012_14_58_100_97252.pdf

19. Ganesh, A. C. C., Kumar U, A., & Rao, S. T. . A. (2012). Speech perception under spectral shift and compression – Expansion conditions: A cochlear implant simulation study. Journal of Indian Speech and Hearing Association, 26(1), 9–16. URL%7C

20. Udupi, V. A., Kumar U, A., Mohan, K. M., Alex, J., & Mahendra, M. H. (2013). The relationship of perceived severity of tinnitus with depression, anxiety, hearing status, age and gender in individuals with tinnitus. The International Tinnitus Journal, 18(1), 29–34. https://doi.org/10.5935/0946-5448.20130005

21. Kumar U, A., & Jayaram, M. (2013). Speech perception in individuals with auditory dys-synchrony: effect of lengthening of voice onset time and burst duration of speech segments. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 127, 656–665. internal-pdf://jlo_ad_vot_bd-2886003200/JLO_AD_VOT_BD.pdf

22. Kumar U, A., Methi, R., & Avinash, M. C. (2013). Test/Retest Repeatability of Effect Contralateral Acoustic Stimulation on the Magnitudes of Distortion Product Ototacoustic Emissions. The Laryngoscope, 123, 463–471. internal-pdf://layngoscope_test_retest_reliability-2995389697/Layngoscope_test_retest_reliability.pdf

23. Kumar U, A., Rayanagoudar, P., & Nambi, A. (2013). Concurrent Vowel Identification and Speech Perception in Noise in Individuals With Cochlear Hearing Loss. Acta Acustica United with Acustica, 99(6), 952–959. https://doi.org/10.3813/AAA.918674

24. Jain, C., Mohamed, H., & Kumar U, A. (2014). Short-term musical training and pyschoacoustical abilities. Audiology Research, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/audiores.2014.102

25. Kumar, A. U., Narne, V. K., Sreeraj, K., & Anthony, J. (2014). Proceedings of National Seminar on Basic Audiological Assessment. Director, AIISH.

26. Shastri, U., Mythri, H. M., & Kumar U, A. (2014). Descending auditory pathway and identification of phonetic contrast by native listeners. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 135(2), 896–905. http://scitation.aip.org/content/asa/journal/jasa/135/2/10.1121/1.4861350

27. Kumar U, A., Bhat, J., D’costa, P. E. dna, Raj, M., & Kumar, K. (2015). Binaural Interaction Component in Speech Evoked Auditory Brainstem Responses. The Journal of International Advanced Otology, 11(2), 114–117. https://doi.org/10.5152/iao.2015.426

28. Devi, N., Kumar U, A., & Mohamed, H. (2015). Short-Term Perceptual Training of Music and Its Effect on Neural Encoding. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, 5(5), 347–356. http://www.scopemed.org/?mno=187965

29. Jain, C., Mohamed, H., & Kumar U, A. (2015). The effect of short-term musical training on speech perception in noise. Audiology Research, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/audiores.2015.111

30. Devi, N., & Kumar U, A. (2015). Brainstem Encoding Of Indian Carnatic Music in Individuals With and Without Musical Aptitude: A Frequency Following Response Study. International Journal of Health Sciences & Research, 5(8), 487–495.

31. Kumar U, A., & Deepashree, S. R. (2016). Personal music systems and hearing. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022215116001031

32. Kaipa, R., & Kumar U, A. (2016). Functioning of medial olivocochlear bundle in right- and left-handed individuals. Laterality: Asymmetries of Body, Brain and Cognition, 22(August), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/1357650X.2016.1217229

33. Dhatri, S. D., Kumar U, A., & Maruthy, S. (2017). Comparison of Working Memory Abilities in Adults Who Do and Do Not Stutter. Journal of Indian Speech Language & Hearing Association, 31(1), 42–47. https://doi.org/10.4103/jisha.JISHA

34. Kumari, A., & Kumar, U. A. (2017). P300 in Individuals with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Indian Speech Language & Hearing Association, 31, 23–28.

35. Shetty, H., Mathai, J., & Kumar U, A. (2017). Disability certificate for individuals with hearing impairment – Time to rethink. Indian Journal of Otology, 23(1), 7–12. https://doi.org/10.4103/0971-7749.199509

36. Neelamegarajan, D., Kumar U, A., & Khyathi, G. (2017). Development and Standardization of ‘ Questionnaire on Music Perception Ability .’ Sangeet Galaxy, 6(January), 3–13.

37. K. V., N., & Kumar U, A. (2017). Effect of Localization Training in Horizontal Plane on Auditory Spatial Processing Skills in Listeners with Normal Hearing. Journal of Indian Speech Language & Hearing Association, 31(1), 23–28. https://doi.org/10.4103/jisha.JISHA

38. Maruthy, S., Kumar, U. A., & Gnanateja, G. N. (2017). Functional Interplay Between the Putative Measures of Rostral and Caudal Efferent Regulation of Speech Perception in Noise. Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, 18(4), 635–648. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-017-0623-y

39. Venkateswaran Nisha, K., Kumar, & Kumar U, A. (2017). Virtual Auditory Space Training-Induced Changes of Auditory Spatial Processing in Listeners with Normal Hearing. The Journal of International Advanced Otology, 13(1), 118–127. https://doi.org/10.5152/iao.2017.3477

40. Apeksha, K., & Kumar U, A. (2017). Speech Perception in Quiet and in Noise Condition in Individuals with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder. The Journal of International Advanced Otology, 13(1), 83–87. https://doi.org/10.5152/iao.2017.3172

41. Seethapathy, J., Boominathan, P., Kumar U, A., & Ninan, B. (2018). Auditory brainstem response in very preterm, moderately preterm and late preterm infants. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 111, 119–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.06.006

42. Apeksha, K., & Kumar U, A. (2018). Cortical processing of speech in individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-018-4966-8

43. Dhatri, S. D., Gnanateja, G. N., Kumar U, A., & Maruthy, S. (2018). Gender-bias in the Sensory Representation of Infant Cry. Neuroscience Letters. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2018.04.043

44. Nisha, K. V., & Ajith Kumar, U. (2019). Pre-attentive neural signatures of auditory spatial processing in listeners with normal hearing and sensorineural hearing impairment: A comparative study. American Journal of Audiology, 28(2S). https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJA-IND50-18-0099

45. Basavanahalli Jagadeesh, A., & Kumar U, A. (2019). Effect of informational masking on auditory working memory: role of linguistic information in the maskers. Hearing, Balance and Communication, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/21695717.2019.1630980

46. Apeksha, K., & Kumar, U. A. (2019). Effect of acoustic features on discrimination ability in individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder: an electrophysiological and behavioral study. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-019-05405-9

47. Seethapathy, J., Boominathan, P., Uppunda, A. K., & Ninan, B. (2019). Changes in Auditory Brainstem Response in very preterm and late preterm infants. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 121(February), 88–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.06.006

48. Devaraju, D. S., Ajith Kumar, U., & Maruthy, S. (2019). Behavioral and neural correlates of auditory n-back task in adults with and without stuttering. American Journal of Audiology, 28(2S). https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_AJA-IND50-18-0101

49. Devaraju, D. S., Maruthy, S., & Kumar, U. A. (2019). Detection of Gap and Modulations: Auditory Temporal Resolution Deficits in Adults Who Stutter. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1159/000499565

50. Nisha, K. V., & Kumar, A. U. (2019). Cortical reorganization following auditory spatial training in listeners with sensorineural hearing impairment: A high-density electroencephalography study. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 145(3), 1906–1906. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.5101915

51. Devaraju, D. S., Ajith Kumar, U., & Maruthy, S. (2019). Comparison of McGurk effect across three consonant-vowel combinations in Kannada. Journal of Audiology and Otology, 23(1), 39–48. https://doi.org/10.7874/jao.2018.00234

52. Shastri, U., Kulath, K., Raj, P., Mathew, M., Kumar, M., & Kumar, U. A. (2019). Relationship between Working Memory and Identification of a Few Native Phonetic Contrasts. Communication Sciences and Disorders, 24(1), 117–128.

53. Basavanahalli Jagadeesh, A., & Kumar, A. U. (2020). Role of Rehearsal Language in Working Memory. Journal of All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, 39(February), 31–38. http://203.129.241.91/jaiish/index.php/aiish/article/view/1293

54. Apeksha, K., & Kumar, A. U. (2020). Effect of Quiet and Noise on P300 Response in Individuals with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder. International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-3402441

55. Seethapathy, J., Boominathan, P., Kumar, A., & Ninan, B. (2021). Distortion product otoacoustic emissions in very preterm infants : A longitudinal study. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 146(March), 110745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110745

56. Jagadeesh, A. B., & Uppunda, A. K. (2021). Speech-on-Speech masking : Effect of Maskers with Different degrees of Linguistic information. Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 45(2), 143–156.

57. Vasudevamurthy, S., & Kumar, A. U. (2022). Auditory And Cognitive Functioning In Hidden Hearing Loss Due To Noise Exposure, Aging, And Tinnitus: A Systematic Review. Journal of All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, 40(1), 39–69. https://doi.org/10.4103/jose.JOSE

58. Nisha, K. V., & Kumar, A. U. (2022). Effects of Spatial Training Paradigms on Auditory Spatial Refinement in Normal-Hearing Listeners: A Comparative Study. Journal of Audiology and Otology, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.7874/jao.2021.00451

59. Kumar, A. U., & Maruthy, S. (2022). Acoustic Cues of Speech Sounds. In S. Savithri (Ed.), Research Advances in Communication Studies (pp. 165–195). Nova Publishers.

60. Kumar, A. U., & Maruthy, S. (2022). Speech Processing in the Auditory System. In S. Savithri (Ed.), Research Advances in Communication Studies (pp. 73–99). Nova Publishers.

61. Gafoor, S., & Kumar, A. (2022). Relationship Between Caudal and Rostral Auditory Efferent Pathways: A Preliminary Investigation. NeuroRegulation, 9(1), 39–47. https://doi.org/10.15540/nr.9.1.39.

Research projects Undertaken (extramural completed):

Sl No	Title	Budget	Funding Agency	Year of Sanction	Duration (years)	Present Status
1.	Effect of Personal music systems on hearing (Under fast-track scheme for young scientists)	17,80,000	DST	2012	2	Completed
2.	Effect of auditory cognitive training on some auditory and speech perception skills in individuals with sensori-neural hearing loss (DST) project	20,41,587	DST	2012	3	Completed
3.	Auditory and multisensory processing in persons with stuttering (co-principle investigator)	13,92,000	DST	2013	3	Completed

Research projects Undertaken (extramural ongoing):

Sl No	Title	Budget	Funding Agency	Year of Sanction	Duration	Present Status
	Auditory and cognitive consequences of dys-synchrounous auditory nerve activity	42,78,400	DST	2018	3	ongoing

Research projects Undertaken (intramural completed):

Sl No	Title	Budget	Funding Agency	Year of Sanction	Duration	Present Status
1.	Neural correlates of perceptual learning of non-native speech sound contrast	4,33,000	AIISH	2015	1 year	Completed
2.	Development and piloting of computer based auditory cognitive training module for individuals with cochlear hearing loss	5,00,000	AIISH	2012	1 year	Completed
3.	Profiling anxiety-depressive and personality correlates of individuals with tinnitus (co-principle investigator)	3,71,000	AIISH	2102	1 year	Completed
4.	Critical band based frequency compression and speech perception in noise in individuals with cochlear hearing loss	3,26,00	AIISH	2011	1	Completed
5.	Neurophysiological mechanisms of speech perception in noise (co-principle investigator)	3,26,000	AIISH	2011	1 year	Completed
6.	Development of some auditory related cognitive tests: Assessment of cognitive reserve in older adults	9,51,000	AIISH	2018	01	Completed
7.	Implementation of portable VAST program for remediation of spatial deficts inlisteners with SNHL: A longitudinal time – series study	4,85,000	AIISH	2018	01	Completed

(ii) Guide for Ph.D.

Candidates guided:

Sl. No	Name of the candidate	Title	Present status
1	Dr. Devi N	Auditory evoked potential correlates of speech and music in individuals with and without musical abilities	Degree Awarded
2	Dr. Usha Shasthri	Auditory perceptual training of non-native speakers: role of auditory and cognitive factors	Degree Awarded
3	Dr. Chandini Jain	Relationship among psychophysical abilities speech perception in noise and working memory in individuals with normal hearing sensitivity across different age groups	Degree Awarded
4	Dr. Apeksha Kumari	Effect of noise and amplification on speech perception in individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders: Electrophysiological and behavioral study	Degree Awarded
5	Dr. Nisha KVN	Effect of training regime on behavioral and electrophysiological correlates of auditory spatial processing in individuals with sensorineural hearing impairment	Degree Awarded
6	Ms. Dhathri S Devaraju	Behavioral and electrophysiological correlates of auditory-visual integration in persons with stuttering	Degree Awarded
7	Dr. Anoop B	Cognitive and ERP measures of informational masking in young and elderly normal hearing listeners	Degree Awarded

Guide for Ph.D.:

Candidates pursuing:

Sl. No	Candidate name	Title	Present status
1	Ms. Deepasshree S R	Auditory brainstem responses and otoacoustic emissions in infants born to mothers with iron deficiency anaemia	Ongoing
2	Ms. Sahana V	Auditory and cognitive profiling in normal hearing individuals with occupational noise exposure	Ongoing
3.	Ms. K Priyadarshini	Effect of auditory training using envelope enhanced speech on speech perception abilities in persons with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder	Ongoing
4.	Mr. Jim Watson	Effect of short term musical training on psycho acoustical, electrophysiological and working memory measures.	Ongoing
5.	Ms. Shezeen	Yet to be decided

Professor, Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (01-07-2016 till date)
Reader, Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (05-05-2011 to 31-06-2016)
Associate Professor, KMCH (A Unit of Manipal University), Mangalore (09-06-2009)
Assistant Professor, Dr. M.V. Shetty College of Speech and Hearing (26-01-07 to 09-06-2009)
Visiting Research Fellow, Northwestern University (26-04-06 to 08-01-07)
Junior Research Fellow, Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore (01-08-2003 to 21-04-2006)
Lecturer, Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore (04-06-2002 to 29-08-2003)
Lecturer Dr. M.V. Shetty College of Speech and Hearing, Mangalore (01-10-2001 to 15-06-2002)
Audiologist and Speech Pathologist, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli (01-07-2001 to 30-09-2001)