RESEARCHERS at the University of York are studying brain processes in a bid to help elderly deaf people.

Their work, aimed at people whose hearing problems originate in the brain, has been given a £16,310 boost through a donation from the Masonic Samaritan Fund to Deafness Research UK.

A spokesman for the charity said Professor Quentin Summerfield’s research team at the university’s psychology department was measuring brain processes during “sound localisation”.

He said: “Many older listeners find their lives handicapped by hearing difficulties and evidence suggests this may be linked to difficulty judging the location of movement and sounds. This research aims to develop a new brain-imaging technique to identify these brain problems. The hope is this research will lead to better treatments for the elderly whose hearing problems originate in the brain.”

Professor Summerfield said the grant would help him to develop a new brain-imaging technique for studying the difficulties which some older people experience in localising sounds and in orientating to their location by making head movements.

The team’s research is expected to last six months and is one of many projects into hearing loss supported by Deafness Research UK.

Vivienne Michael, the charity’s chief executive, said: “This will advance our understanding of the causes of hearing loss in old age.”

She said such research would not be possible without the help of donors such as the Masonic Samaritan Fund.

John McCrohan, from the Fund, said it was delighted to be able to support Professor Summerfield’s project. He said: “Our hope is that our research grant will help those living with the debilitating effects of hearing loss and eventually lead to a more fulfilling and satisfying life. Many of our beneficiaries struggle with hearing loss and we are pleased to be able to contribute vital funds to Professor Summerfield’s efforts.”