The Auditory and Social Experiences in Early Development (aSEED) Lab is directed by Dr. Devon P. Major in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at James Madison University.

Our Research

The aSEED Lab investigates how early auditory and multisensory experiences shape children’s social and emotional communication. We focus particularly on children whose sensory experiences differ from those of their peers, including children born prematurely and children with hearing loss. Using behavioral, electrophysiological, and eye-tracking methods, we examine how children perceive and integrate auditory and visual information during communication. Ultimately, our goal is to identify how differences in these processes relate to children’s social-emotional development and to generate knowledge that can inform clinical care and support children and their families.

Lab Personnel

Devon P. Major, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at James Madison University and Director of the Auditory and Social Experiences in Early Development (aSEED) Lab. She earned both her Au.D. and Ph.D. in Audiology from Syracuse University. Dr. Major completed an NIH T32 postdoctoral research fellowship at Boys Town National Research Hospital under the co-mentorship of Drs. Kaylah Lalonde and Monita Chatterjee. Broadly, Dr. Major's research investigates how diverse auditory and sensory experiences in childhood shape social and emotional communication.
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Audiology Graduate Students

Reagan Schlimme is a Doctor of Audiology student at James Madison University. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State University, where she majored in Communication Sciences and Disorders and minored in American Sign Language. Her areas of interest include pediatric audiology and the vestibular system.

Join the aSEED Lab!

The aSEED Lab welcomes undergraduate and graduate students interested in pediatric audiology, auditory and/or multisensory development, social-emotional communication, hearing loss and cochlear implants research. Previous research experience is not required! We are especially interested in working with students who are curious, dependable, and excited to learn.

Students in the aSEED Lab may have opportunities to gain experience with different stages of the research process, including participant recruitment, behavioral testing, electrophysiological and eye-tracking methods, data processing and analysis, and communicating research findings.

Interested in joining us?

If you are interested in becoming involved with the aSEED Lab, please contact Dr. Devon Major at majordp@jmu.edu or reach out to the lab at aseed@jmu.edu.