About
Biography:
Dr. Schafer has been a faculty member in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language
Pathology since 2005. She received her Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders
from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2005. Her research programs on the assessment
and (re)habilitation of adults and children with hearing loss and auditory disorders
have produced over 100 publications, four textbooks, national and international podium
presentations at conferences, and external grants and gifts. She is the Editor of
Audiology Today for the American Academy of Audiology and past President and Journal
Editor for the Educational Audiology Association. Dr. Schafer was honored with the
UNT Office of Research and Innovation Teacher Scholar Award in 2017 and the Cheryl
Deconde Johnson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Educational and Pediatric Audiology
in 2013.
Contributions to Science:
The primary focus of my research is to improve the communication abilities and quality
of life in adults and children who have hearing loss and auditory disorders. My research
has significant clinical implications because it provides evidence to support the
use of emerging hearing technologies for people using hearing aids and cochlear implants
as well as people who have auditory-listening differences, such as those who have
autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Descriptions
of my primary lines of research and selected publications provided below.
1. Research on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Auditory Processing
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that among 8- to 11-year-old children, 1
in 54 have ASD, and the majority of these children experience global sensory and communication
deficits. Parents of children with ASD report that hearing and listening difficulties
are the first or second most prevalent sensory processing issue. The multidisciplinary
research in my laboratory aims to (a) document specific auditory processing difficulties
in children with ASD relative to neurotypical peers and (b) examine the efficacy and
effectiveness of various interventions. We have completed multiple studies to assess
how hearing technology, designed for individuals with normal hearing, may improve
speech recognition in background noise, listening behaviors, and overall classroom
performance. We continue to present the results of these studies at professional conferences
for audiologists, teachers, administrators, and speech-language pathologists.
- Gopal, K. V., Schafer, E. C., Mathews, L., Nandy, R, Beaudoin, D., Schadt, L., Brown, A., Phillips, B., Caldwell,
J. (2021). Effects of auditory training on electrophysiological measures in individuals
with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 31(2),
96-104.
- Schafer, E. C., Mathews, L., Gopal, K., Canale, E., Creech, A., Manning, J., Kaiser, K. (2020).
Behavioral auditory processing in children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 31(9), 680-689.
- Schafer, E. C., Kirby, B., Miler, S. (2020). Remote microphone technology for children with hearing
loss or auditory processing issues. Seminars in Hearing, 41(4), 1-14.
- Schafer, E. C., Gopal, K. V., Mathews, L., Kaiser, K., Canale, E. Creech, A. (2019). Verification
and validation of remote-microphone technology on children and college-age adults
who have autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Educational, Pediatric, and (Re)Habilitative
Audiology, 24, 1-7.
- Schafer, E. C., Gopal, K., Mathews, L., Thompson, S., Kaiser, K., McCullough, S., Jones, J., Castillo,
P., Canale, E., Hutcheson, A. (2018) Effects of auditory training and remote-microphone
technology on the behavioral performance of children and young adults who have autism
spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 30(5), 431-443.
- Schafer, E. C., Wright, S., Anderson, C., Jones, J., Pitts, K., Bryant, D., Watson, M., Box, J.,
Neve, M., Matthews, L., Reed, M. P. (2016). Assistive technology evaluations: Remote-microphone
technology for children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Communication Disorders,
64, 1-17.
- Schafer, E. C., Traber, J., Layden, P., Amin, A., Sanders, K., Bryant, D., & Baldus, N. (2014).
Use of wireless technology for children with auditory processing disorders, attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder, and language disorders. Seminars in Hearing, 35(3), 193-205.
- Schafer, E.C., Bryant, D., Sanders, K., Baldus, N., Algier, K., Lewis, A., Traber, J., Layden,
P., Amin, A. (2014). Fitting and verification of frequency modulation (FM) systems
on children with normal hearing. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 25(6),
529-540.
- Schafer, E. C., Florence, S., Anderson, C., Dyson, J., Wright, S., Sanders, K., & Bryant, D. (2014).
A critical review of remote-microphone technology for children with normal hearing
and auditory differences. Journal of Educational Audiology, 20, 1-11.
- Schafer, E. C., Mathews, L., Mehta, S., Hill, M., Munoz, A., Bishop, R., & Maloney, M. (2013). Personal
FM systems for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and/or attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): An initial investigation. Journal of Communication
Disorders, 46, 40-52.
2. Research Collaborations with the Auditory Implant Initiative
The non-profit Auditory Implant Initiative created a cochlear implant database to
facilitate collaboration among hearing professionals, improve patient care, and create
a framework for aggregate data sharing in cochlear implant research. Today, the database
contains clinical data from approximately 10,000 patients. I collaborate with a team
of professionals and researchers to analyze patient data with the goal of improving
patient outcomes. In these studies, we describe the development of the database and
analyze outcomes from patients of various ages. For example, one study shows that
adults with public health insurance have poorer outcomes after implantation than adults
with private insurance.
- Grisel, J., Miller, S., Schafer, E. C. (2021). A novel performance-based paradigm of care for cochlear implant follow-up.
Laryngoscope. In press.
- Miller, S. E., Anderson, C., Manning, J., Schafer, E. (2020). Insurance payer status predicts post-operative speech outcomes in adult cochlear
implant recipients. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 31(9), 666-673.
- Dunn, C., Miller, S. E., Schafer, E. C., Silva, C. Gifford, R. H., Grisel, J. J. (2020).
Benefits of a hearing registry: Cochlear implant candidacy in quiet versus noise in
1611 patients. American Journal of Audiology, 29(4), 851-861
- Miller, S., Grisel, J., Schafer, E. (2019, Nov/Dec). The auditory implant initiative. Audiology Today, 30-38
- Grisel, J. J., Schafer, E., Lam, A., Griffin, T. (2018). Pilot study on the use of data mining to identify cochlear
implant candidates. Cochlear Implants International, 19(3), 142-146
- Schafer, E. C., Grisel, J. J., de Jong, A., Ravelo, K., Lamb, A., Burke, M., Griffin, T., Winter,
M., & Schrader, D. (2016). Creating a framework for data sharing in cochlear implant
research. Cochlear Implants International, 24, 1-10.
3. Collaborative Research on Improving Speech Recognition in Noise with Cochlear Implants
Communicating in background noise is a pervasive problem for individuals with cochlear
implants. These problems stem from a damaged auditory system as well as limitations
in signal processing and hardware. Degraded performance in noise may result in substantial
participation restrictions, activity limitations, and isolation from loved ones, friends,
and co-workers. In the publications provided below, we investigated strategies to
improve hearing in noise. Results of the studies show that front-end processing, remote-microphone
technology, and bilateral input significantly improve speech understanding and perceived
benefit with cochlear implants. This evidence-based, clinical research may be used
by hearing healthcare professionals to support device requests from insurance companies
and state-funded vocational programs or from public schools under the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act. I will continue this line of collaborative research
on future technological advances in cochlear implants.
- Miller, S., Wolfe, J., Neumann, S., Schafer, E. C., Galster, J., Agrawal, S. (2021). Remote microphone systems for cochlear implant
recipients in small group settings. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.
In press.
- Miller, S., Wolfe, J., Duke, M., Schafer, E., Agrawal, S., Koch, D., Neumann, S. (2020). Benefits of bilateral hearing on the
telephone for cochlear implant recipients. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology,
32(3), 180-185.
- Wolfe, J., Duke, M., Schafer, E., Jones, C., Rakita, L., Battles, J. (2020). Evaluation of a remote microphone system
with tri-microphone beamformer. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. 31(1),
50-60.
- Wolfe, J., Neumann, S., Schafer, E., Marsh, M., Wood, M. Baker, S. (2017). Potential benefits of an integrated electric-acoustic
(EAS) sound processor with children: A preliminary report. Journal of the American
Academy of Audiology, 28(2), 127-140.
- Wolfe, J., Gilbert, M., Schafer, E., Litvak, L. M., Spahr, A. J., Saoji, A., Finley, C. (2017). Optimizations for the
electrically-evoked stapedial reflex threshold measurement in cochlear implant recipients.
Ear & Hearing,38(2), 255-261
- Wolfe, J., Neumann, S., Schafer, E., Marsh, M., Wood, M. Baker, S. (2016). Potential benefits of an integrated electric-acoustic
(EAS) sound processor with children: A preliminary report. Journal of the American
Academy of Audiology, 28(2), 127-140.
- Wolfe, J., Morais, M., & Schafer, E. (2015). Improving hearing performance for cochlear implant recipients with use of
a digital, wireless, remote-microphone, audio-streaming accessory. Journal of the
American Academy of Audiology, 26(6), 532-539.
- Wolfe, J., Neumann, S., Marsh, M., Schafer, E., Lianos, L., Gilden, J., O'Neill, L., Arki,s P., Menapace, C., Nel, E., Jones, M.
(2015). Benefits of adaptive signal processing in a commercially available cochlear
implant sound processor. Otology & Neurotology, 36(7), 1181-1190.
- Wolfe, J., Morais, M., Schafer, E., Agrawal, S., & Koch, D. (2015). Evaluation of speech recognition of cochlear implant
recipients using adaptive, digital remote microphone technology and a speech enhancement
sound processing algorithm. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 26(5), 502-508.
- Schafer, E. C., Romine, D., Musgrave, E., Momin, S., & Huynh, C. (2013). Electromagnetic versus
electrical coupling of personal frequency modulation (FM) receivers to cochlear implant
sound processors. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 24(10), 927-940.
- Schafer, E. C., Wolfe, J., Algier, K., Morais, M., Price, S., Monzingo, J., Beeler, S., & Ramos,
H. (2012). Spatial hearing in noise of young children with cochlear implants and hearing
aids. Journal of Educational Audiology, 18, 38-52.
- Schafer, E. C., Huynh, C., Romine, D., Jimenez, R. (2012). Speech recognition in noise and subjective
perceptions of neckloop FM receivers with cochlear implants. American Journal of Audiology,
22(1), 53-64.
Primary Research Interests:
Auditory processing, hearing aids, cochlear implants, remote microphone technology,
autism, hearing loss
Other Information:
Schafer, E. C., Miller, S., Manning, J., Zhang, Q., Lavi, A., Bodish, E., Fuentes,
A., De Blaey, E. (2021). Meta-Analysis of speech recognition outcomes in younger and
older adults with cochlear implants. American Journal of Audiology, 30, 481-496.
Schafer, E. C., Dunn, A., & Lavi, A. (2021). Educational challenges during the pandemic
for students who have hearing loss. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in the
Schools, 52(3), 889-898.
Schafer, E. C., Mathews, L., Gopal, K., Canale, E., Creech, A., Manning, J., Kaiser,
K. (2020). Behavioral auditory processing in children and young adults with autism
spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 31(9), 680-689.
Schafer, E. C., Kirby, B., Miler, S. (2020). Remote microphone technology for children
with hearing loss or auditory processing issues. Seminars in Hearing, 41(4), 1-14.
Schafer, E. C., Gopal, K. V., Mathews, L., Thompson, S., Kaiser, K., McCullough, S.,
Jones, J., Castillo, P., Canale, E., Hutcheson, A. (2019). Effects of auditory training
and remote‐microphone technology on the behavioral performance of children and young
adults who have autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology,
30(5), 431-443.
Other Information
Schafer, E. C., Miller, S., Manning, J., Zhang, Q., Lavi, A., Bodish, E., Fuentes,
A., De Blaey, E. (2021). Meta-Analysis of speech recognition outcomes in younger and
older adults with cochlear implants. American Journal of Audiology, 30, 481-496.
Schafer, E. C., Dunn, A., &Lavi, A. (2021). Educational challenges during the pandemic
for students who have hearing loss. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in the
Schools, 52(3), 889-898.
Schafer, E. C., Mathews, L., Gopal, K., Canale, E., Creech, A., Manning, J., Kaiser,
K. (2020). Behavioral auditory processing in children and young adults with autism
spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 31(9), 680-689.
Schafer, E. C., Kirby, B., Miler, S. (2020). Remote microphone technology for children
with hearing loss or auditory processing issues. Seminars in Hearing, 41(4), 1-14.
Schafer, E. C., Gopal, K. V., Mathews, L., Thompson, S., Kaiser, K., McCullough, S.,
Jones, J., Castillo, P., Canale, E., Hutcheson, A. (2019). Effects of auditory training
and remote‐microphone technology on the behavioral performance of children and young
adults who have autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology,
30(5), 431-443.