University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Mathematics & StatisticsHearing Accessibility and Social Engagement Lab
Kira S Birditt · Ann Arbor, Michigan
Research Focus
Dr. Kira S. Birditt's lab focuses on understanding the social factors that influence hearing aid use among older adults with hearing loss. The lab’s research examines how social networks and daily interactions affect whether individuals wear their hearing aids and how these devices impact their social relationships over time. Her work aims to provide insights that can improve hearing aid usage and enhance the quality of life for older adults.
hearing aidssocial networksinterpersonal processesolder adultscognitive decline
Research Aims
3AIM 01Identify social network influences on hearing aid use frequency.
AIM 02Examine the effects of hearing aid use on daily conversations.
AIM 03Assess the long-term impact of hearing aid use on social ties.
Skills the Lab Values
ecological momentary assessmentdata collectionmobile app developmentqualitative interviewsstatistical analysis
Output against the department
Publications242top 47% of dept.61st of 131
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations8.9ktop 46% of dept.60th of 131
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.