scholarly journals Evoked Potentials Reveal Noise Exposure–Related Central Auditory Changes Despite Normal Audiograms

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi F. Bramhall ◽  
Christopher E. Niemczak ◽  
Sean D. Kampel ◽  
Curtis J. Billings ◽  
Garnett P. McMillan
Keyword(s):  
Auditory System ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Auditory Nerve Fiber ◽  
Central Auditory System ◽  
Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Latency Response

Purpose Complaints of auditory perceptual deficits, such as tinnitus and difficulty understanding speech in background noise, among individuals with clinically normal audiograms present a perplexing problem for audiologists. One potential explanation for these “hidden” auditory deficits is loss of the synaptic connections between the inner hair cells and their afferent auditory nerve fiber targets, a condition that has been termed cochlear synaptopathy . In animal models, cochlear synaptopathy can occur due to aging or exposure to noise or ototoxic drugs and is associated with reduced auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave I amplitudes. Decreased ABR wave I amplitudes have been demonstrated among young military Veterans and non-Veterans with a history of firearm use, suggesting that humans may also experience noise-induced synaptopathy. However, the downstream consequences of synaptopathy are unclear. Method To investigate how noise-induced reductions in wave I amplitude impact the central auditory system, the ABR, the middle latency response (MLR), and the late latency response (LLR) were measured in 65 young Veterans and non-Veterans with normal audiograms. Results In response to a click stimulus, the MLR was weaker for Veterans compared to non-Veterans, but the LLR was not reduced. In addition, low ABR wave I amplitudes were associated with a reduced MLR, but with an increased LLR. Notably, Veterans reporting tinnitus showed the largest mean LLRs. Conclusions These findings indicate that decreased peripheral auditory input leads to compensatory gain in the central auditory system, even among individuals with normal audiograms, and may impact auditory perception. This pattern of reduced MLR, but not LLR, was observed among Veterans even after statistical adjustment for sex and distortion product otoacoustic emission differences, suggesting that synaptic loss plays a role in the observed central gain. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.11977854

scholarly journals Hearing Damage Induced by Blast Overpressure at Mild TBI Level in a Chinchilla Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 248-255
Author(s):  
Kyle D Smith ◽  
Tao Chen ◽  
Rong Z Gan
Keyword(s):  
Auditory System ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Mild Tbi ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Blast Overpressure ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Hearing Damage

Abstract Introduction The peripheral auditory system and various structures within the central auditory system are vulnerable to blast injuries, and even blast overpressure is at relatively mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) level. However, the extent of hearing loss in relation to blast number and time course of post-blast is not well understood. This study reports the progressive hearing damage measured in chinchillas after multiple blast exposures at mild TBI levels (103–138 kPa or 15–20 psi). Materials and Methods Sixteen animals (two controls) were exposed to two blasts and three blasts, respectively, in two groups with both ears plugged with foam earplugs to prevent the eardrum from rupturing. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) were measured in pre- and post-blasts. Immunohistochemical study of chinchilla brains were performed at the end of experiment. Results Results show that the ABR threshold and DPOAE level shifts in 2-blast animals were recovered after 7 days. In 3-blast animals, the ABR and DPOAE shifts remained at 26 and 23 dB, respectively after 14 days. Variation of auditory cortex damage between 2-blast and 3-blast was also observed in immunofluorescence images. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the number of blasts causing mild TBI critically affects hearing damage.

scholarly journals Deletion of Oncomodulin Gives Rise to Early Progressive Cochlear Dysfunction in C57 and CBA Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie K. Climer ◽  
Aubrey J. Hornak ◽  
Kaitlin Murtha ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Andrew M. Cox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Outer Hair Cells ◽  
Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Brainstem Response

Ca2+ signaling is a major contributor to sensory hair cell function in the cochlea. Oncomodulin (OCM) is a Ca2+ binding protein (CaBP) preferentially expressed in outer hair cells (OHCs) of the cochlea and few other specialized cell types. Here, we expand on our previous reports and show that OCM delays hearing loss in mice of two different genetic backgrounds: CBA/CaJ and C57Bl/6J. In both backgrounds, genetic disruption of Ocm leads to early progressive hearing loss as measured by auditory brainstem response (ABR) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE). In both strains, loss of Ocm reduced hearing across lifetime (hearing span) by more than 50% relative to wild type (WT). Even though the two WT strains have very different hearing spans, OCM plays a considerable and similar role within their genetic environment to regulate hearing function. The accelerated age-related hearing loss (ARHL) of the Ocm KO illustrates the importance of Ca2+ signaling in maintaining hearing health. Manipulation of OCM and Ca2+ signaling may reveal important clues to the systems of function/dysfunction that lead to ARHL.

Thymoquinone treatment for inner-ear acoustic trauma in rats

2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Aksoy ◽  
R Dogan ◽  
A Yenigun ◽  
B Veyseller ◽  
O Ozturan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Acoustic Trauma ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Trauma Group

AbstractObjective:To investigate whether thymoquinone has any eliminative effects against inner-ear damage caused by acoustic trauma.Methods:Thirty-two male rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was only exposed to acoustic trauma. Group 2 was given thymoquinone 24 hours before acoustic trauma and continued to receive it for 10 days after the trauma. Group 3 was only treated with thymoquinone, for 10 days. Group 4, the control group, suffered no trauma and received saline instead of thymoquinone. Groups 1 and 2 were exposed to acoustic trauma using 105 dB SPL white noise for 4 hours.Results:There was a significant decrease in distortion product otoacoustic emission values and an increase in auditory brainstem response thresholds in group 1 on days 1, 5 and 10, compared with baseline measurements. In group 2, a decrease in distortion product otoacoustic emission values and an increase in auditory brainstem response threshold were observed on day 1 after acoustic trauma, but measurements were comparable to baseline values on days 5 and 10. In group 3, thymoquinone had no detrimental effects on hearing. Similarly, the control group showed stable results.Conclusion:Thymoquinone was demonstrated to be a reparative rather than preventive treatment that could be used to relieve acoustic trauma.

scholarly journals Oncomodulin Delays Age-Related Hearing Loss in C57 and CBA Mice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie K Climer ◽  
Aubrey J Hornak ◽  
Kaitlin Murtha ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Andrew M Cox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Outer Hair Cells ◽  
Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Progressive Hearing Loss ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Brainstem Response

Ca2+ signaling is a major contributor to sensory hair cell function in the cochlea. Oncomodulin (OCM) is a Ca2+ binding protein preferentially expressed in outer hair cells of the cochlea and few other specialized cell types. Here, we expand on our previous reports and show that OCM prevents early progressive hearing loss in mice of two different genetic backgrounds: CBA/CaJ and C57Bl/6J. In both backgrounds, genetic disruption of Ocm leads to early progressive hearing loss as measured by auditory brainstem response (ABR) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE). In both strains, loss of Ocm reduced hearing across lifetime (hearing span) by more than 50% relative to wild type (WT). Even though the two WT strains have very different hearing spans, OCM plays a considerable and similar role within their genetic environment to regulate hearing function. The accelerated ARHL of the Ocm KO illustrates the importance of Ca2+ signaling in maintaining hearing health.

scholarly journals Detecting Noise-Induced Cochlear Synaptopathy by Auditory Brainstem Response in Tinnitus Patients With Normal Hearing Thresholds: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feifan Chen ◽  
Fei Zhao ◽  
Nadeem Mahafza ◽  
Wei Lu
Keyword(s):  
Auditory System ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Response ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Central Auditory System ◽  
Gain Enhancement ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
Brainstem Response

Noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy (CS) is defined as a permanent loss of synapses in the auditory nerve pathway following noise exposure. Several studies using auditory brainstem response (ABR) have indicated the presence of CS and increased central gain in tinnitus patients with normal hearing thresholds (TNHT), but the results were inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to review the evidence of CS and its pathological changes in the central auditory system in TNHT. Published studies using ABR to study TNHT were reviewed. PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases were selected to search for relevant literature. Studies (489) were retrieved, and 11 were included for meta-analysis. The results supported significantly reduced wave I amplitude in TNHT, whereas the alternations in wave V amplitude were inconsistent among the studies. Consistently increased V/I ratio indicated noise-induced central gain enhancement. The results indicated the evidence of noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy in tinnitus patients with normal hearing. However, inconsistent changes in wave V amplitude may be explained by that the failure of central gain that triggers the pathological neural changes in the central auditory system and/or that increased central gain may be necessary to generate tinnitus but not to maintain tinnitus.

The effect of intratympanic oxytocin treatment on rats exposed to acoustic trauma

2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (06) ◽  
pp. 466-476
Author(s):  
F C Akin Ocal ◽  
G G Kesici ◽  
S G Gurgen ◽  
R Ocal ◽  
S Erbek
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Brainstem Response ◽  
Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Acoustic Trauma ◽  
Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Emission Signal ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 1

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether oxytocin can prevent ototoxicity related to acoustic trauma.MethodsTwenty-eight rats were divided into four groups: noise (group 1), control (group 2), noise plus oxytocin (group 3), and oxytocin (group 4). Intratympanic oxytocin was administered on days 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 in groups 3 and 4. Groups 1 and 3 were exposed to acoustic trauma. Distortion product otoacoustic emission and auditory brainstem response testing were performed in all groups.ResultsIn group 1, auditory brainstem response thresholds increased significantly after acoustic trauma. In group 3, auditory brainstem response thresholds increased significantly on day 1 after acoustic trauma, but there were no significant differences between thresholds at baseline and on the 7th and 21st days. In group 1, significant differences were observed between distortion product otoacoustic emission signal-to-noise ratios measured before and on days 1, 7 and 21 after acoustic trauma. In group 3, no significant differences were observed between the distortion product otoacoustic emission signal-to-noise ratios measured before and on days 7 and 21 after acoustic trauma.ConclusionOxytocin had a therapeutic effect on rats exposed to acoustic trauma in this experiment.

Auditory Brainstem Response and Distortion-Product Otoacoustic Emission Studies in Neonates at High-Risk for Hearing Loss

2013 ◽  
Vol 149 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P241-P241
Author(s):  
David S. Cohen ◽  
Tracy Rudd ◽  
Javan J. Nation ◽  
Priyanka Shah ◽  
Shivani Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Response ◽  
Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Emission Studies

scholarly journals Envelope Following Response Measurements in Young Veterans Are Consistent With Noise-Induced Cochlear Synaptopathy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Bramhall ◽  
Garnett McMillan ◽  
Sean Kampel
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Otoacoustic Emissions ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Auditory Nerve Fiber ◽  
Auditory Thresholds ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Envelope Following Response

Animal studies have demonstrated that noise exposure can lead to the loss of the synapses between the inner hair cells and their afferent auditory nerve fiber targets without impacting auditory thresholds. Although several non-invasive physiological measures appear to be sensitive to cochlear synaptopathy in animal models, including auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave I amplitude, the envelope following response (EFR), and the middle ear muscle reflex (MEMR), human studies of these measures in samples that are expected to vary in terms of the degree of noise-induced synaptopathy have resulted in mixed findings. One possible explanation for the differing results is that synaptopathy risk is lower for recreational noise exposure than for occupational or military noise exposure. The goal of this analysis was to determine if EFR magnitude and ABR wave I amplitude are reduced among young Veterans with a history of military noise exposure compared with non-Veteran controls with minimal noise exposure. EFRs and ABRs were obtained in a sample of young (19-35 years) Veterans and non-Veterans with normal audiograms and robust distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Mean EFR magnitudes and ABR wave I amplitudes were reduced for Veterans compared with non-Veteran controls. These findings replicate previous ABR wave I amplitude results in young Veterans and are consistent with animal models of noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy.

Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A Knockout Mice Show Progressive Hearing Loss and Sensitivity to Acoustic Trauma

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safa Alqudah ◽  
Mark Chertoff ◽  
Dianne Durham ◽  
Jackob Moskovitz ◽  
Hinrich Staecker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Methionine Sulfoxide ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Acoustic Trauma ◽  
Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase ◽  
Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Brainstem Response

Methionine sulfoxide reductases (MsrA and MsrB) protect the biological activity of proteins from oxidative modifications to methionine residues and are important for protecting against the pathological effects of neurodegenerative diseases. In the current study, we characterized the auditory phenotype of the MsrA knockout mouse. Young MsrA knockout mice showed small high-frequency threshold elevations for auditory brainstem response and distortion product otoacoustic emission compared to those of wild-type mice, which progressively worsened in older MsrA knockout mice. MsrA knockout mice showed an increased sensitivity to noise at young and older ages, suggesting that MsrA is part of a mechanism that protects the cochlea from acoustic damage. MsrA mRNA in the cochlea was increased following acoustic stimulation. Finally, expression of mRNA MsrB1 was compromised at 6 months old, but not in younger MsrA knockout mice (compared to controls). The identification of MsrA in the cochlea as a protective mediator from both early onset hearing loss and acoustic trauma expands our understanding of the pathways that may induce protection from acoustic trauma and foster further studies on how to prevent the damaging effect of noise exposure through Msr-based therapy.

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