Areas of Interest
Dr. Pfingst's research aims to understand and improve perception with cochlear implants. It is widely assumed that the biological condition of the nerve and other inner ear structures plays a significant role in the function of the prosthesis, but the details of how specific elements in the deaf ear affect various aspects of perception are poorly understood. The goal of the Pfingst Laboratory goal is to define the importance of various aspects of cochlear health for cochlear implant function and to use this information to improve perception and speech recognition with the implants.

Honors & Awards
2000 - Neuroscience Faculty Outstanding Service Recognition Award
2003 - Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Faculty Founder's Award for Outstanding Research Mentorship
2008 - Elected Fellow – Acoustical Society of America
2008 - Elsevier – Hearing Research Top Reviewer
2009 - TAMS Award for Medical Student Mentoring