Auditory Training Reverses Lead (Pb)-Toxicity-Induced Changes in Sound-Azimuth Selectivity of Cortical Neurons

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 3294-3304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xia Liu ◽  
Fanfan Wei ◽  
Yuan Cheng ◽  
Yifan Zhang ◽  
Guoqiang Jia ◽  
...  

Abstract Lead (Pb) causes significant adverse effects on the developing brain, resulting in cognitive and learning disabilities in children. The process by which lead produces these negative changes is largely unknown. The fact that children with these syndromes also show deficits in central auditory processing, however, indicates a speculative but disturbing relationship between lead-exposure, impaired auditory processing, and behavioral dysfunction. Here we studied in rats the changes in cortical spatial tuning impacted by early lead-exposure and their potential restoration to normal by auditory training. We found animals that were exposed to lead early in life displayed significant behavioral impairments compared with naïve controls while conducting the sound-azimuth discrimination task. Lead-exposure also degraded the sound-azimuth selectivity of neurons in the primary auditory cortex. Subsequent sound-azimuth discrimination training, however, restored to nearly normal the lead-degraded cortical azimuth selectivity. This reversal of cortical spatial fidelity was paralleled by changes in cortical expression of certain excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor subunits. These results in a rodent model demonstrate the persisting neurotoxic effects of early lead-exposure on behavioral and cortical neuronal processing of spatial information of sound. They also indicate that attention-demanding auditory training may remediate lead-induced cortical neurological deficits even after these deficits have occurred.

2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 1062-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard H. Gaese ◽  
Joachim Ostwald

The vast majority of investigations on central auditory processing so far were conducted under the influence of an anesthetic agent. It remains unclear, however, to what extend even basic response properties of central auditory neurons are influenced by this experimental manipulation. We used a combination of chronic recording in unrestrained animals, computer-controlled randomized acoustic stimulation, and statistical evaluation of responses to directly compare the response characteristics of single neurons in the awake and anesthetized state. Thereby we were able to quantify the effects of pentobarbital/chloral hydrate anesthesia (Equithesin) on rat auditory cortical neurons. During Equithesin anesthesia, only a portion of central neurons were active and some of their basic response properties were changed. Only 29% of the neurons still had a frequency response area. Their tuning sharpness was increased under anesthesia. Most changes are consistent with an enhancement of inhibitory influences during Equithesin anesthesia. Thus when describing response properties of central auditory neurons, the animal's anesthetic state has to be taken into account.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Dunaj ◽  
Anna Lobaczuk-Sitnik ◽  
Malgorzata Rozanska ◽  
Emilia Duchnowska ◽  
Bozena Kosztyla-Hojna ◽  
...  

Auditory processing disorders (APD) are characterized by a reduction in the efficiency of auditory processing, which results in a deficit in identifying and interpreting sounds by the brain. In 2017, auditory processing disorders were awarded an individual diagnostic code. Symptoms that indicate the presence of auditory processing disorders are numerous and non-specific. The primary symptom of impaired auditory processing is difficulty understanding speech in noise. This disorder affects about 5-7% of children. Most often, the result of at least two tests included in the set is considered to be the determinant which constitutes the basis for the diagnosis of disorders. In the diagnostic and therapeutic process of children with auditory processing disorders, the correct diagnosis is of key importance, thanks to which it will be possible to conduct an appropriate treatment. All therapeutic methods, tasks activating auditory perception and language skills should be selected reliably, individually for each participant of the therapy. The use of the so-called auditory training during corrective-compensatory and speech therapy classes in children with central auditory processing disorders should be the standard. It is the main method of treating children with central hearing impairment. Auditory training includes auditory education based on stimulating child’s auditory predispositions and on developing the ability to use them in order to gain better orientation in the environment. At present, therapists in Poland may use various types of therapeutic interactions that have a positive impact on the development of a child’s hearing skills. The aim of the work is to discuss auditory training and to present speech therapy exercises helpful in the therapeutic process of children with auditory processing disorders.


2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (05) ◽  
pp. 428-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail D. Chermak ◽  
Mary E. Silva ◽  
Jeffrey Nye ◽  
Jon Hasbrouck ◽  
Frank E. Musiek

Results of an online questionnaire probing audiologists' professional education and clinical practices in central auditory processing and its disorders are reported. Respondents demonstrated scant knowledge of the efficiency of central auditory tests and procedures; however, they were rather consistent in reporting more frequent use of tests and procedures they rated as more efficient. Many of the tests and procedures (including electrophysiologic measures) reported as most frequently used are among those cited in the literature as having good sensitivity and specificity. Respondents recognized the audiologist's treatment responsibilities in the areas of environmental accommodations and assistive listening devices; however, less than half of the respondents judged auditory training to fall within the audiologist's purview. Comparison with a similar study published in 1998 revealed an increase in respondents' academic preparation in (C)APD, with little change in clinical preparation, and use of a more efficient central auditory test battery. Se reportan los resultados de un cuestionario en línea indagando sobre la educación profesional y las prácticas clínicas de los audiólogos en cuanto al procesamiento auditivo (central) y sus trastornos. Aquellos que respondieron demostraron un débil conocimiento sobre la eficiencia de las pruebas y procedimientos auditivos centrales; sin embargo, fueron bastante consistentes en reportar un uso más frecuente de las pruebas y procedimientos que consideraban más eficientes. Muchas de las pruebas y procedimientos (incluyendo las mediciones electrofisiológicas) que se reportaron como más frecuentemente utilizadas, están entre las que se citan en la literatura como de mejor sensibibilidad y especificidad. Los que responsieron reconocieron las responsabilidades en cuanto a tratamiento por parte del audiólogo, en las áreas de adecuación ambiental y en el uso de dispositivos auditivos de apoyo. Sin embargo, menos de la mitad de los que respondieron consideraron que el entrenamiento auditivo estaba dentro de las ámbito del audiólogo. La comparación con un estudio similar publicado en 1998 reveló una mejoría en la preparación académica de los audiológos en (C)APD, con poco cambios en la preparación clínica, y en el uso de una batería mas eficiente de pruebas para audición central.


Author(s):  
Carla Matos Silva ◽  
Carolina Fernandes ◽  
Clara Rocha ◽  
Telmo Pereira

Background: Impairment in speech perception is a common feature of older adults. This study aimed at evaluating the acute and sub-acute (after three months) effects of auditory training on central auditory processing in older people with hearing loss. Methods: A nonrandomized study was conducted enrolling 15 older adults with hearing loss and an average age of 78.6 ± 10.9 years. All participants underwent a baseline otoscopy, tympanogram, audiogram and speech-in-noise test with a signal-noise ratio (SNR) of 10 and 15 dB. Afterwards, auditory training intervention was implemented consisting of 10 training sessions over 5 weeks. Participants were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1) underwent auditory training based on a speech-in-noise test; group 2 (G2) underwent a filtered-speech test. Auditory processing was evaluated at baseline (T0) immediately after the intervention (T1) and 3 months after the intervention (T2). Results: Group 1 were quite efficient regardless of the SNR in the right ear with statistically significant differences from T0 to T1 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006 for 10 dB and 15 dB, respectively) and T0 to T2 (p = 0.011 and 0.015 for 10 dB and 15 dB, respectively). As for the left ear, the increase of success was statistically significant for the SNR of 10 dB and 15 dB from T0 to T1 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively) and from T0 to T2 (p = 0.016 and p = 0.003). In G2, there was a significant variation only from T0 for T1 in the left ear for an SNR of 10 dB (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Speech perception in noise significantly improved after auditory training in old adults.


2018 ◽  
pp. 143-149
Author(s):  
Azam Aghaie ◽  
Ali Akbar Tahaei ◽  
Farnoush Jarollahi ◽  
Mohammad Kamali

Background and Aim: Decoding deficit is the most common central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). Given the benefits of computer-based auditory training programs for treatment of central disorders and the lack of such programs in Persian language, this study aimed to develop a computer-based auditory training program for decoding skill. We also evaluated this program in 8 to12 year old children with CAPD.Methods: The first stage of research was to develop a computer-based auditory training program. This program consists of three levels of phonological discrimination, syllable discrimination, and word discrimination. The second stage was to determine the content and face validity of the program. The third stage was to assess the program effect on five children with decoding deficit. The research method was interventional and had a pretest and post-test design with another five children as control group. The staggered spondaic word, phonemic synthesis (PS) and speech in noise tests was used to assess the children performance before and after training.Results: Mean scores of staggered spondaic word (SSW) and PS tests of the experimental group were significantly difference before and after the auditory training (p<0.05) as compared to control group. However, there was no significant difference with regard to the speech-in-noise test results (p>0.05).Conclusion: This computer-based auditory training program can be considered as a preliminary tool for the rehabilitation and treatment of decoding deficits in children with CAPD.


CoDAS ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laís Ferreira ◽  
Ayra Renata D’Agostini ◽  
Fernanda dos Santos Pichini ◽  
Eduarda Pazini ◽  
Inaê Costa Rechia ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT This study aimed to measure the effects of a Computer-based Auditory Training Program (CBATP) on an adolescent diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). This is the case report of a male, 14-year-old adolescent diagnosed with ASD. The individual was submitted to basic audiological evaluation, central auditory processing assessment and hearing electrophysiology (EP), pre- and post-therapeutic intervention. Central auditory processing (CAP) was assessed by means of the following instruments: Time-compressed Speech Test (TCST), Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT), Staggered Spondaic Word Test (SSWT), Frequency (Pitch) Pattern Sequence Test (FPST), and Duration Pattern Test (DPT). The P300 component of the Event-related Potential (ERP) was used in the hearing EP. Pre-intervention assessment of CAP showed changes in the auditory skills of closure, figure-ground and temporal ordering, but normal temporal resolution ability. Post-intervention evaluation of CAP showed improvement in all previously mentioned auditory skills, except for the figure-ground ability, which remained unchanged. Regarding the findings of the hearing EP, a decrease in the latency of the P300 component was observed pre- and post-intervention. This study demonstrated that the use of a CBATP resulted in improvement in the hearing abilities assessed in an adolescent diagnosed with ASD.


Revista CEFAC ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Biaggi Alves de Alencar ◽  
Priscila de Araújo Lucas ◽  
Edilamar De Bortoli ◽  
Luiza Maria Bernert ◽  
Letícia Paola Rodrigues ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of the acoustically controlled auditory training on the speech fluency of children diagnosed with developmental stuttering. Two patients were submitted to speech fluency evaluation, basic audiological assessment, and central auditory processing assessment, before and after the intervention with the digital platform. Two male individuals (P1 and P2) participated in the research. They were respectively 8 and 9 years old, both were right-handed, native Brazilian Portuguese speakers, diagnosed with developmental stuttering, P1 presenting a moderate, and P2, a mild-to-moderate degree. There was an improvement in some auditory skills. However, there was no improvement in the speech fluency pattern in neither of the cases studied.


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