I graduated summa cum laude from Mysore University and received "Aarthi Venkatraman Gold medal for first rank in Audiology". My Master’s thesis investigated auditory plasticity using behavioral and electrophysiological measures in new hearing aid users. After my graduation, I worked on a research project with Dr. Jayakumar and Dr. Vijaya Kumar Narne (AIISH, Mysore). The project involved comparing behavioral and electrophysiological indices of place of articulation and VOT discrimination in Kannada and Hindi speakers. I developed the first ten step place of articulation (/p/ to /t/) and VOT (/d/ to /t/) for Indian languages using MATLAB.

I received the Australia Development Scholarship and Australia Leadership Award (highly competitive-awarded to only 200 people annually worldwide) in 2012 to pursue higher education. I joined Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia as a PhD candidate in 2013. My PhD investigated how we learn to recognize patterns from auditory and visual stimuli (statistical learning) and if this ability is influenced by music expertise. Using both behavioral and electrophysiological measures, this PhD was the first to compare statistical learning in two modalities (auditory and visual) between individuals with and without musical training. Additionally, event related potentials (ERPs) were used to investigate electrophysiological correlates of statistical learning.

Apart from my research, I have also supervised and mentored 8 Masters and 1 Honors research students for their research thesis including project development, implementation, management, advising on project presentations, and thesis editing.  I was also the lab manager of the EEG Lab at Macquarie Speech and Hearing Clinic (2013-2016). My responsibilities included helping in designing/troubleshooting ERP/EEG experiments, calibrating stimuli, maintaining the lab, conducting training session for new users. I have also taught lecturers and tutorials for MClinAud and Psychology courses (Basics of Auditory perception, electrophysiology). I was part of a collaborative project with National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL),  that aimed to develop an automatic ABR audiometer.

Beyond my work, I’m a 200-hour certified yoga teacher, a cooking enthusiast, and an amateur artist with a love for both Western and Indian classical music.

Doctor of Philosophy, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia |  2013-2017

Master of Science (Audiology), University of Mysore (Summa cum laude), India | 2009-2011

Bachelor of Science (Speech & Hearing), University of Mysore (Magna cum laude), India | 2005-2009

Awards

• Finalist for President’s award at Earlens | Earlens Corporation | 2020, 2019
• Starkey Research 'shout out' award | Starkey Hearing Technologies | 2017
• Higher Degree Research Excellence award | Macquarie University, Faculty of Human Sciences | 2017
• 3 Minute Thesis Competition People's Choice |  Macquarie University, Faculty of Human Sciences | 2015
• 3 Minute Thesis Competition Winner | Macquarie University, Dept of Linguistics | 2015
• 3 Minute Thesis Competition People's Choice | Macquarie University, Dept of Linguistics | 2015
• Linguistics Higher Degree Research Showcase Best Presenter Prize | Macquarie University, Dept of Linguistics | 2014
  
• Australia Leadership Award | Australian Government (highly competitive; awarded to only 200 people worldwide) | 2012
• Australia Development Scholarship  | Australian Government (fully funded 4-year PhD scholarship) | 2012
• Aarthi Venkatraman Gold Medal in Audiology | University of Mysore | 2012
• Pratibha Puruskaar Award for academic excellence |Rotary International | 2003

Grants Awarded

• Macquarie University Postgraduate Research Fund (PGRF) (2015) Mandikal Vasuki, P.R. ($5,000)

Periodicals

• Mandikal Vasuki PR; Eskridge-Mitchell E, Dundas, D. Full Bandwidth Streamed Audio with an Open-fit: Is It Possible? Hearing Review. 2020; Oct 6, 2020 published online only https://www.hearingreview.com/hearing- products/hearing-aids/psap/full-bandwidth-streamed-audio-with-an-open-fit-is-it-possible

•Meha-Bettison, K., Sharma, M., Ibrahim, R., Mandikal-Vasuki, P.R. (2018) Enhanced speech perception in noise and cortical auditory evoked responses in professional musicians. International Journal of Audiology, 57 (1), 40-52. doi:10.1080/14992027.2017.1380850.  [IF: 1.73, Cite Score percentile 96%]

• Small, S.A., Sharma, M., Bradford, M., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R. (2017). The effect of signal-to-noise ratio on cortical auditory evoked potentials elicited to speech stimuli in infants and adults with normal hearing. Ear and Hearing. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000487. [IF: 2.8, Cite Score percentile 98%]

• Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Ibrahim, R., & Arciuli, J. (2017). Statistical learning and auditory processing in children with music training: an ERP study. Clinical Neurophysiology,128 (7), 1270-1281. doi: 10.1016/ j.clinph.2017.04.010 [IF: 3.86, Cite Score percentile 80%].

• Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma M, Ibrahim RK & Arciuli J (2017) Musicians’ Online Performance during Auditory and Visual Statistical Learning Tasks. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 11:114. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00114 [IF: 3.63 Cite Score percentile 90%].

• Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Demuth, K., & Arciuli, J. (2016). Musicians' edge: a comparison of auditory processing, cognitive abilities and statistical learning. Hearing Research (342), 112-123.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ j.heares.2016.10.008. [IF: 3.06 Cite Score percentile 88%].

• Pragati Rao, M.V., & Manjula, P. (2012). Hearing aid usage relationship between auditory plasticity and audiological measures, Student Research, vol IX, 2011-2012, AIISH Mysore (Page 211-220).

• Pragati Rao, M.V., Sindhushree, H.S., & Savithri, S.R. (2008). Perception of similar ragas in Hindustani and Carnatic styles by singers and non-singers. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Frontiers of Research on Speech and Music (FRSM). Page 22-25.

Patents

• Facteau, B., Arne, LE, Levy, S., Dundas, D., Koskowich, G., Mandikal Vasuki PR, Prakash, SR., Perkins, R., P., Wenzel, SW. 2023, US 17894889.

Published Abstracts

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Ibrahim, R., & Arciuli, J. (2017). Behavioral and online statistical learning in children with musical training [Abstract]. Journal of Hearing Science, 7(2), 39.

Corless, J., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Peter, V., & Sharma, M. (2014). The evaluation of pitch percept using iterated rippled noise: An event related potentials study [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 32nd World Congress of Audiology, 32, 82.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Arciuli, J., & Demuth, K. (2014). Role of statistical learning in understanding speech perception in noise in musicians [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 32nd World Congress of Audiology, 32, 20.

Meha-Bettison, K., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., & Sharma, M. (2014). The musical advantage: Musicians have enhanced auditory processing abilities [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 32nd World Congress of Audiology, 32, 81.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Levy S., Merks I., Fitz K., Dundas, D., (2023, April). Streaming in a café: what directly drives speech intelligibility? American Academy of Audiology, Seattle, USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Levy S., Merks I., Fitz K., Dundas, D., Dundas (2023, April). Optimizing compression settings for a direct drive hearing aid. American Academy of Audiology, Seattle, USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Levy S., Dundas, D. (2022, August). What a difference an aid makes – explaining speech intelligibility differences during streaming. International Hearing Aid Research Conference (IHCON), USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Dundas, D., Levy S., Mitchell, E. (2022, April). Myth-busting the 3:1 compression limit: optimized audibility with preserved sound quality. American Academy of Audiology, AAA St. Louis, USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Dundas, D., Levy S., Mitchell, E., Fitz, K., Merks, I. (2022, April). Impact of background noise on streamed speech intelligibility for a direct drive hearing aid. American Academy of Audiology, USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Levy S., Dundas, D. (2021, April). Extended high frequency audibility via direct drive improves speech understanding in noise. Paper presented at American Academy of Audiology, AAA Virtual, USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Levy S., Dundas, D., Mitchel, E. (2021, April). Audio streaming comparison of conventional hearing aids and a contact hearing solution. Paper presented at American Academy of Audiology, AAA Virtual, USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Dundas, D., Levy S., Mitchel, E. (2020, March). Real-world experience implementing compression ratios from 3:1 up to 10:1. Paper presented at Annual technical and scientific conference of the American Auditory Society (AAS), Scottsdale, USA.

Eskridge, E., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Levy S. (2019, March). Sound Quality Comparison of Streamed Audio Through MFI-Compatible Acoustic Aids and a Contact Hearing Aid. Paper presented at the American Academy of Audiology, Columbus (Ohio), USA.

Levy S., Eskridge, E., Velde, T. Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., (2019, March). Comparison of a Light-Driven Contact Hearing Aid to an Inductive Contact Hearing Aid. Paper presented at the American Academy of Audiology, Columbus (Ohio), USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Crukley, J., Galster, J. (2018, August). Listening effort and alpha power: effect of directionality in hearing aid users. Poster presented at the International Hearing Aid Research Conference (IHCON), Lake Tahoe, USA.

Ching, T.Y.C., Hou, S., Loi, L., Chong-White, N., Van Dun, B., Dillon, H., Sjahalam-King, J., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Seeto, M. (2018) Clinical validation of the Auditory Brainstem Response module in the HEARLab system. Paper presented at 23rd Audiology Australia National Conference. Sydney, Australia.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Ibrahim, R., Demuth, K., & Arciuli, J. (2017, May). Behavioral and online statistical learning in children with music training. Paper presented at the 24th Biennial Symposium of International Evoked Response Audiometry Study Group, Warsaw, Poland.

Furze, C., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., & Arciuli, J. (2016, May). The association between statistical learning and speech perception in noise: An individual differences study. Paper presented at the Audiology Australia National Conference, Melbourne.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Arciuli, J., & Demuth, K. (2016, March). Modality-specific statistical learning and its impact on functional outcomes. Invited colloquium at the Starkey Hearing Research Centre, Berkeley, USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Arciuli, J., & Demuth, K. (2016, February). Statistical learning and musical expertise: Implications for functional outcomes. Invited colloquium at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Arciuli, J., & Demuth, K. (2016, February). Statistical learning in adults and children with musical training: Functional outcomes. Invited colloquium at the Communication Sciences Research Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Demuth, K., & Arciuli, J. (2016, February). Exploring the link between music training, auditory processing, statistical learning and reading skills. Paper presented at the 39th Annual Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO) MidWinter Meeting, San Diego, USA.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Demuth, K., & Arciuli, J. (2015, November). Exploring the link between music skills, auditory processing, statistical learning and reading skills. Poster session presented at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders Annual Workshop, Macquarie University, Sydney.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Ibrahim, R., Demuth, K., & Arciuli, J. (2015, June). The dividing note: Are musicians better at an online auditory and visual statistical learning task? Paper presented at the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Advances in Statistical Learning, San Sebastián, Spain.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Ibrahim, R., Demuth, K., & Arciuli, J. (2015, May). Musicians’ advantage in an online auditory statistical learning task. Paper presented at the 24th Biennial Symposium of International Evoked Response Audiometry Study Group, Busan, South Korea.

Meha-Bettison, K., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., & Sharma, M. (2015, May). Behavioural and electrophysiological evidence of enhanced auditory processing skills in professional musicians. Poster session presented at the 24th Biennial Symposium of International Evoked Response Audiometry Study Group, Busan, South Korea.

Sharma, M., Lower, M., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Ibrahim, R., & Small, S.A. (2015, May). Auditory attention in young adults: A P300 study. Paper presented at the 24th Biennial Symposium of International Evoked Response Audiometry Study Group, Busan, South Korea.

Small, S.A., Bradford, M., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., & Sharma, M. (2015, May). The effects of signal-to-noise ratio on cortical auditory evoked potentials elicited to speech stimuli in infants and adults with normal hearing. Paper presented at the 24th Biennial Symposium of International Evoked Response Audiometry Study Group, Busan, South Korea.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Arciuli, J., & Demuth, K. (2014, November). Beyond melody and metre: Musicians' advantage in auditory processing, cognition, and statistical learning. Invited colloquium at the Department of Linguistics HDR Conference, Macquarie University, Sydney.

Corless, J., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Varghese, P., & Sharma, M. (2014, May). The evaluation of pitch percept using iterated rippled noise: An event related potentials study. Paper presented at the 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Arciuli, J., & Demuth, K. (2014, May). Role of statistical learning in understanding speech perception in noise in musicians. Poster session presented at the 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Meha-Bettison, K., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., & Sharma, M. (2014, May). The musical advantage: Musicians have enhanced auditory processing abilities. Paper presented at the 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Arciuli, J., & Demuth, K. (2014, January). Role of statistical learning in understanding speech perception in noise in musicians. Poster session presented at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders Annual Workshop, Macquarie University, Sydney.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Arciuli, J., & Demuth, K. (2013, November). Speech perception in noise abilities: A statistical learning perspective. Invited colloquium at the Audiology Australia Continuing Professional Development Event, Macquarie University, Sydney.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., & Sharma, M. (2013, October). Two case studies and international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF) framework. Invited presentation given at the CAPD and the Role of Audiologist, RIDBC, Sydney.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sharma, M., Arciuli, J., & Demuth, K. (2013, October). Role of statistical learning in performance on auditory processing tasks and speech perception abilities. Invited colloquium at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders (CCD) Language Day, Macquarie University, Sydney.

Jayakumar, T., Narne, V.K., & Mandikal Vasuki, P.R. (2012, December). Categorical perception of Voice Onset Time (VOT) and F2 continuum by Kannada and Hindi speaking individuals. Paper presented at the National Symposium on Acoustics, Tiruchengode, India.

Jayakumar, T., Narne, V.K., & Mandikal Vasuki, P.R. (2012, January). Categorical perception of Voice Onset Time (VOT) and F2 continuum by Kannada and Malayalam speaking individuals. Paper presented at the National Seminar on Speech Synthesis and its Applications, Trivandrum, India.

Anoop, B.J., Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., & Vinay, S.N. (2008, February). Cochlear and efferent system functioning in diabetic subjects with normal hearing. Paper presented at the 40th Conference of the Indian Speech and Hearing Association, Mangalore, India.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Anoop, B.J., & Sreedevi, N. (2008, February). Basal to ceiling and ceiling-to-basal elicitation of maximum phonation frequency range. Paper presented at the 40th Conference of the Indian Speech and Hearing Association, Mangalore, India.

Mandikal Vasuki, P.R., Sindhushree, H.S., & Savithri, S.R. (2008, February). Perception of similar ragas in Hindustani and Carnatic styles by singers and non singers. Paper presented at the Frontiers of Research on Speech and Music Conference, Kolkata, India.

Interviews:

• Mandikal Vasuki, P.R. (2021). Earlens Releases Powerful Features to Enhance Fittings with New Earlens Fidelity™ 2021.1.1 Software. AudiologyOnline, Interview #27813. Available at www.audiologyonline.com

• Mandikal Vasuki, P.R. (2020). Busy Day? New Earlens Fidelity™ Fitting Software Provides a Smooth and Fast Fitting Experience. AudiologyOnline, Interview #27660. Available at www.audiologyonline.com

Media covering my research:

•Are musicians better at recognizing statistical patterns? Macquarie University Research Impact. 29 May 2017. (Mandikal Vasuki, P.R)

• The magic of direct drive: how Earlens can transform your practice. Minimally Invasive ENT Open Forum, Sarasota FL. April 2024.

• Effects of hearing loss and solutions. Chinmaya Mission San Jose Vanaprastha. August 2021.

• Earlens: a new lens on life. Hearing loss Association of America (Diablo Valley Chapter). February 2020.

• How do we hear and how can Earlens help you? Hearing loss Association of America (East Bay Chapter). October 2019.

• The Earlens Contact Hearing Aid – a new way to hear better. Hearing loss Association of America (East Bay Chapter). February 2019.

• Auditory and cognitive statistical learning in musicians. Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, Stanford University. January 2019.

• Tired Ears and tired brains: listening related effort and fatigue. Hearing loss Association of America (San Francisco Chapter). May 2018.Article header with background image and parallax effect.