National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR)
Melissa Papesh, Ph.D., Au.D.
Email: melissa.papesh@va.gov
Telephone: 503-220-8262 x52015
Current appointments:
Research investigator, NCRAR
Assistant Professor, Oregon Health & Science University
Adjunct Instructor, Pacific University
Research interests:
Dr. Papesh's primary research interests involve auditory neuroscience with a particular emphasis on acquired auditory processing disorders. Using a combination of behavioral and electrophysiological measures, she hopes to better understand how neural processes support auditory perception in normally functioning systems, and how neurological dysfunction from conditions such as head injury and aging impact auditory function. Dr. Papesh has a dual PhD in Neuroscience and Hearing Science, and she is a licensed audiologist.
Research projects:
- Physiological Assessment of Auditory Processing Disorder in TBI, VA RR&D Career Development Award, 2018-2023
- Towards Development of a Mobile Assessment and Differential Diagnosis of Auditory Dysfunction: Hidden Hearing Loss and Central Auditory Processing Disorders, DoD CDMRP, 2019-2022
- Telephone Delivery of Cognitively Augmented Behavioral Activation (Tele-CABA) for Traumatic Brain Injury, DoD CDMRP, 2019-2022
- Retrospective Review of APD Diagnosis in the VA, VA RR&D Small Projects in Rehabilitation Research (SPiRE), pending
Selected publications:
Theodoroff, Sarah M.; Papesh, Melissa A.; Duffield, Tyler C.; Novak, Melissa; Gallun, Frederick J.; King, Laurie; Chesnutt, James; Rockwood, Ryan; Palandri, Marisa; & Hullar, Timothy E. (2022). Concussion Management Guidelines Neglect Auditory Symptoms. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 32, 82-85. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000874
Papesh, Melissa A.; Stefl, Alyssa A.; Gallun, Frederick J., & Billings, Curtis J. (2021). “Effects of signal type and noise background on auditory evoked potential N1, P2, and P3 measurements in blast-exposed Veterans”, Ear and Hearing, 42, 106-121. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000000906
Koerner, Tess; Papesh, Melissa A.; & Gallun, Frederick J. (2020). A Questionnaire Survey of Current Rehabilitation Practices for Adults with Normal Hearing Sensitivity and Auditory Difficulties. American Journal of Audiology, 29, 738-761. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_AJA-20-00027
Theodoroff, Sarah M.; Papesh, Melissa A.; Duffield, Tyler C.; Novak, Melissa; Gallun, Frederick J.; King, Laurie; Chesnutt, James; Rockwood, Ryan; Palandri, Marisa; & Hullar, Timothy E. (2020). Concussion Management Guidelines Neglect Auditory Symptoms. Clinical journal of Sport Medicine, published ahead of print, https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000874
Tepe, Victoria; Papesh, Melissa A.; Russell, Shoshannah; Lewis, M. Samantha; Pryor, Nina, & Guillory, Lisa (2020). “Clinical Focus: Acquired Central Auditory Processing Disorder in Service Members and Veterans.” Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 63(3), 834-857. https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2019_JSLHR-19-00293
Papesh, Melissa A.; Elliott, Jonathan E.; Callahan, Megan L.; Storzbach, Daniel; Lim, Miranda M.; & Gallun, Frederick J. (2019) “Blast exposure impairs sensory gating: Evidence from measures of acoustic startle and auditory event-related potentials.” Journal of Neurotrauma, 35, 1-11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6387566/
Papesh, Melissa A.; Elliott, Jonathan E.; Callahan, Megan L.; Storzbach, Daniel; Lim, Miranda M.; & Gallun, Frederick J. (2019) “Blast exposure impairs sensory gating: Evidence from measures of acoustic startle and auditory event-related potentials.” Journal of Neurotrauma, 35, 1-11.
Elliott, Jonathan E.; Opel, Ryan A.; Papesh, Melissa A.; Weymann, Kris B.; Chau, A. Q.; Callahan, Megan L.; Storzbach, Daniel; & Lim, Miranda M. (2018). “Sleep Disturbances in TBI: Associations with Sensory Sensitivity.” Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 14(7), 1177-1186.
Gallun, Frederick J.; Papesh, Melissa A.; Lewis, M. Samantha (2017). “Hearing Complaints Following Traumatic Brain Injury”, Brain Injury, 31(9), 1183 – 1187.
Papesh, Melissa A.; Folmer, Robert L.; & Gallun, Frederick J. (2017) “Cortical Measures of Binaural Processing Predict Spatial Release from Masking Performance.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11
Papesh, Melissa A. & Pesa, Stephanie R. (2017). Of Heros and Hearing, Audiology Today, 29(5), 64-67.
Papesh, Melissa A. and Hurley, Laura M. (2016). Modulation of Auditory Brainstem Responses by Serotonin and Serotonin Receptors, Hearing Research, 332, 121-136.
Gallun, Frederick J.; Lewis, M. Samantha; Folmer, Robert L., Hutter, Michele; Papesh, Melissa A.; Belding, Heather; Leek, Marjorie R. (2016). Chronic Effects of Exposure to High-Intensity Blasts: Results on Tests of Central Auditory Processing, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 53(6)
Papesh, Melissa A.; Billings, Curtis J.; Baltzell, Lucas S. (2014). Background noise can enhance cortical auditory evoked potentials under certain circumstances. Clinical Neurophysiology 126(7), 1319 – 1330.
Saunders, Gabrielle; Fredrick, Melissa; Silverman, SheinPei; Papesh, Melissa (2013). Application of the Health Belief Model to hearing health behaviors. International Journal of Audiology, 52(8), 558-567.
Billings, Curtis J.; Papesh, Melissa A.; Penman, Tina; Baltzell, Lucas; Gallun, Frederick (2012). Clinical use of aided cortical auditory evoked potentials as a measure of physiological detection or physiological discrimination. International Journal of Otolaryngology, 2012, 1 – 14.
Papesh, Melissa A.; Hurley, Laura M. (2012). Plasticity of serotonergic innervation within the inferior colliculi of mice exposed to pure tone acoustic trauma. Hearing Research, 283(1-2), 89-97.
Selected presentations:
Papesh, Melissa A. (2019) Auditory Processing Disorders in Veterans: Advances in and Barriers to Assessment and Rehabilitation, August 2019, Audiology Online Continuing Education Course; Invited online presentation
Papesh, Melissa A. (2019) VA-DoD APD Working Group Update and Overview of APD Testing in the VA. Collaborative Auditory Vestibular Research Network, June 2019, Boston, MA; Invited Podium Presentation
Papesh Melissa A. (2018) Blast exposure impairs sensory gating: Evidence from measure of acoustic startle and auditory event-related potentials. American Acoustical Society, November 2018, Victoria, British Columbia; Invited Podium Presentation
Papesh, Melissa A. (2018) Impaired Sensory Gating Following Exposure to High-Intensity Blasts. Office of Naval Research Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Program Review, August 2018, Portland, OR; Invited Podium Presentation
Papesh, Melissa A. (2018) Two ears are better than one: Using Electrophysiology to investigate spatial hearing. VA Portland Healthcare System Research Day Talk
Papesh, Melissa A. (2018) Blast Exposure and Auditory Processing Disorders in Veterans and the VA System. NCRAR Seminar Series, February 23, VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, OR; Invited podium presentation
Papesh, Melissa A. (2017). “Blast Exposure and TBI in the Veteran Population: Effects on Central Auditory Processing,” Oregon Health and Science University Traumatic Brain Injury Symposium, Portland OR, Invited podium presentation
Papesh, Melissa A. & Penman, Tina M. (2017). “Auditory Processing Disorders in the Veteran Population,” Collaborative Auditory & Vestibular Research Network (CAVRN), San Antonio TX, Invited podium presentation
Papesh, Melissa A., Folmer, Robert L., and Gallun, Frederick J. (2017). “Predicting Spatial Release from Masking using Electrophysiology”, Association for Research in Otolaryngology Midwinter Meeting, Baltimore, MD, Invited podium presentation
