Anna-Katharina Matke-Bauer

I am a Lecturer in Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London, where I lead the Lifespan Auditory Neuroscience Lab. My research explores how we perceive and process sounds across the lifespan, with particular focus on age-related changes in hearing and their broader cognitive implications.

A central theme of my current work examines how hearing changes during the menopause transition and its relationship to cognitive vulnerability in midlife women, an emerging area that bridges auditory neuroscience, cognitive ageing, and women's health. I use neurophysiological methods (EEG, auditory brainstem responses) alongside behavioural measures to understand both subcortical and cortical auditory processing, and how these relate to real-world listening challenges and cognitive function.

If you would like to know more please visit our website: annakatharinabauer.com

Current research themes

Hearing loss and cognition: Hearing loss has been associated with cognitive decline and is recognised as a modifiable risk factor for dementia, accounting for 8% of all dementia cases. In my current work, I investigate how auditory processing is linked to cognitive function across midlife. This includes measuring brain resposnes at subcortical and cortical levels and exploring the link to cognitive performance. 

Hearing and the menopause transition: Hormonal changes during the menopause transition, particularly the decline in oestrogen, influences both sensory and cognitive systems. I am currently developing work to understand how hearing changes during the menopause transition and how it is related to cognitive vulnerability in midlife women. 

Subjective and objective hearing loss: Many individuals report hearing difficulties despite having clinically "normal" hearing, while others are unaware of their hearing loss. I am interested in the disconnect between subjective and objective hearing measures and how this mismatch might help us to better understand real-world listening challenges and cognitive effort.