scholarly journals Hearing Ability of Prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M New ◽  
Ben-Zheng Li ◽  
Tim Lei ◽  
Elizabeth A McCullagh
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Binaural Hearing ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Responses ◽  
Biparental Care ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Hearing Ability ◽  
Hearing Range

Hearing ability of mammals can be impacted by many factors including social cues, environment, and physical properties of animal morphology. Despite being used commonly to study social behaviors, the hearing ability of the monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) has never been fully characterized. In this study, we measure morphological head and pinna features and use auditory brainstem responses to measure hearing ability of prairie voles characterizing monaural and binaural hearing and hearing range. Additionally, we measured unbonded male and female voles to characterize differences due to sex. We found that prairie voles have intermediate hearing ability with an optimal hearing range of 8 to 32 kHz, robust binaural hearing ability, and characteristic monaural ABRs. We show no differences between the sexes for binaural hearing or hearing range, however female voles have increased amplitude of peripheral ABR waves I and II and increased latency of wave IV. Our results confirm that prairie voles have both low and high frequency hearing, binaural hearing capability, and despite biparental care and monogamy, differences in processing of sound information between the sexes. These data further highlight the necessity to understand sex-specific differences in neural processing that may underly variability in behavioral responses between sexes.

Auditory Brainstem Responses in a Case of High-Frequency Conductive Hearing Loss

1985 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Gorga ◽  
Jan K. Reiland ◽  
Kathryn A. Beauchaine
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Conductive Hearing Loss ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Intensity Function ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Responses ◽  
Normal Limits ◽  
Interpeak Latency ◽  
Lower Limits ◽  
Conductive Hearing

Click-evoked auditory brainstem responses were measured in a patient with high-frequency conductive hearing loss. As is typical in cases of conductive hearing loss, Wave I latency was prolonged beyond normal limits. Interpeak latency differences were just below the lower limits of the normal range. The Wave V latency-intensity function, however was abnormally steep. This pattern is explained by the hypothesis that the slope of the latency-intensity function is determined principally by the configuration of the hearing loss. In cases of high-frequency hearing loss (regardless of the etiology), the response may be dominated by more apical regions of the cochlea at lower intensities and thus have a longer latency.

scholarly journals Cochlear Synaptopathy: A Primary Factor Affecting Speech Recognition Performance in Presbycusis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Zhe Chen ◽  
Yanmei Zhang ◽  
Junbo Zhang ◽  
Rui Zhou ◽  
Zhen Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Recognition Performance ◽  
Auditory Pathway ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Responses ◽  
Hearing Ability ◽  
Summating Potential

The results of recent animal studies have suggested that cochlear synaptopathy may be an important factor involved in presbycusis. Therefore, here, we aimed to examine whether cochlear synaptopathy frequently exists in patients with presbycusis and to describe the effect of cochlear synaptopathy on speech recognition in noise. Based on the medical history and an audiological examination, 94 elderly patients with bilateral, symmetrical, sensorineural hearing loss were diagnosed as presbycusis. An electrocochleogram, auditory brainstem responses, auditory cortical evoked potentials, and speech audiometry were recorded to access the function of the auditory pathway. First, 65 ears with hearing levels of 41-50 dB HL were grouped based on the summating potential/action potential (SP/AP) ratio, and the amplitudes of AP and SP were compared between the two resulting groups. Second, 188 ears were divided into two groups: the normal SP/AP and abnormal SP/AP groups. The speech recognition abilities in the two groups were compared. Finally, the relationship between abnormal electrocochleogram and poor speech recognition (signal-to-noise ratio loss ≥7 dB) was analyzed in 188 ears. The results of the present study showed: (1) a remarkable reduction in the action potential amplitude was observed in patients with abnormal SP/AP ratios; this suggests that cochlear synaptopathy was involved in presbycusis. (2) There was a large proportion of patients with poor speech recognition in the abnormal SP/AP group. Furthermore, a larger number of cases with abnormal SP/AP ratios were confirmed among patients with presbycusis and poor speech recognition. We concluded that cochlear synaptopathy is not uncommon among elderly individuals who have hearing ability deficits, and it may have a more pronounced effect on ears with declining auditory performance in noisy environments.

Encoding of a binaural speech stimulus at the brainstem level in middle-aged adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
A K Neupane ◽  
S K Sinha ◽  
K Gururaj
Keyword(s):  
Binaural Hearing ◽  
Auditory Pathway ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Speech Stimulus ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Responses ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Fast Fourier Transform Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

Abstract Objective Binaural hearing is facilitated by neural interactions in the auditory pathway. Ageing results in impairment of localisation and listening in noisy situations without any significant hearing loss. The present study focused on comparing the binaural encoding of a speech stimulus at the subcortical level in middle-aged versus younger adults, based on speech-evoked auditory brainstem responses. Methods Thirty participants (15 young adults and 15 middle-aged adults) with normal hearing sensitivity (less than 15 dB HL) participated in the study. The speech-evoked auditory brainstem response was recorded monaurally and binaurally with a 40-ms /da/ stimulus. Fast Fourier transform analysis was utilised. Results An independent sample t-test revealed a significant difference between the two groups in fundamental frequency (F0) amplitude recorded with binaural stimulation. Conclusion The present study suggested that ageing results in degradation of F0 encoding, which is essential for the perception of speech in noise.

Comparison of ABR Stimuli for the Early Detection of Ototoxicity: Conventional Clicks Compared with High Frequency Clicks and Single Frequency Tonebursts

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (05) ◽  
pp. 239-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Fausti ◽  
Christopher L. Flick ◽  
Alison M. Bobal ◽  
Roger M. Ellingson ◽  
James A. Henry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Responses ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Efficient Manner ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Objective Testing ◽  
Testing Methodology

Effective objective testing methodology is needed for early detection of the effects of ototoxicity on hearing in patients. The requirements for such testing include responses that are: 1) reliable across test sessions; 2) sensitive to ototoxic change (> 8 kHz), and 3) recordable in a time-efficient manner. Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) appear well suited to this task however, conventional clicks stimulate primarily mid-frequencies (1-4 kHz) and high frequency tonebursts require too much time. We hypothesized that delivery of a band of high frequencies (a high frequency "click"), would elicit reliable and useful ABRs. In the current study, flat and sloped HF (high frequency) clicks with a bandwidth of 8-14 kHz were used. The purpose was to compare brainstem responses elicited by tonebursts, two HF clicks and conventional clicks. The results show that the reliability of responses to the HF clicks were comparable to the tonebursts and further, both HF clicks produced responses slightly larger than tonebursts.

Reliability of Auditory Brainstem Responses from Sequenced High-Frequency (≥ 8 kHz) Tonebursts

1995 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 177-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Fausti ◽  
Curtin R. Mitchell ◽  
Richard H. Frey ◽  
James A. Henry ◽  
Jody L. O'Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Responses

scholarly journals Auditory brainstem responses in weaning pigs and three ages of sows1

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1416-1422
Author(s):  
Nichole Chapel Anderson ◽  
Stephanie A Thomovsky ◽  
Jeffrey R Lucas ◽  
Tokiko Kushiro-Banker ◽  
John Scott Radcliffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Animal Communication ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Responses ◽  
Mechanically Ventilated ◽  
Hearing Ability ◽  
Welfare Issue ◽  
Weaning Pigs ◽  
Extensive Body

Abstract Piglet crushing is a devastating welfare concern on swine farms; however, some sows appear unresponsive to a piglet’s call. Sow hearing ability is rarely considered despite the extensive body of research performed on crushing. In this study, pigs of four age groups (weaning, n = 7; gilts, n = 5; 2nd and 3rd parity, n = 5; 5th parity and up, n = 5) were anesthetized and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were performed to measure if pig hearing diminishes with age in a mechanically ventilated barn. Before testing, pigs were placed in a sound dampening box. ABRs were performed on animals using 1,000 clicks at two decibel (dB) levels: 90 and 127 dB sound pressure level. Latencies and amplitudes of waves I–V were measured and interpeak latencies for waves I–III, III–V, and I–V were calculated. Five pigs (three 2nd and 3rd parity, and two 5th parity and above) had no detectable waves at either decibel. Sows in 2nd and 3rd parities had very few distinguishable waves, with only wave I and II present in two sows. Amplitudes of waves I and V increased with increased dB (P < 0.001). Increasing dB decreased the latency of each of the recorded waves (P < 0.01). The vast majority of commercial swine are raised in noisy barn environments; it is possible that these environments directly affect the ability for pigs to hear and normal hearing development in this population of animals. Hearing has a significant effect on swine welfare as hearing is integral to successful animal handing and during moments of animal-to-animal communication. Hearing is a considerable welfare issue on farms and ways to decrease pig hearing loss should be considered.

scholarly journals The Effects of Asymmetric Hearing on Bilateral Brainstem Function: Findings in Children with Bimodal (Electric and Acoustic) Hearing

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (Suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa J. Polonenko ◽  
Blake C. Papsin ◽  
Karen A. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Binaural Hearing ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Responses ◽  
Sensitive Period ◽  
Auditory Pathways ◽  
Electric Pulses ◽  
Brainstem Function ◽  
Interaural Level Differences ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Asymmetric Hearing Loss

As implantation criteria are broadening to include children with asymmetric hearing loss, it is important to determine the degree of residual hearing needed to protect the bilateral auditory pathways for binaural hearing and whether there is a sensitive period in development for implantation in these children. We have been studying these questions in a growing cohort of children. In the present study, auditory brainstem responses were recorded in 21 children who had 2.2 ± 2.2 years of bimodal hearing. Responses were evoked by 11-Hz acoustic clicks presented to the non-implanted ear and with biphasic electric pulses presented to the implanted ear. Twelve of these children also completed a behavioural task in which they were asked to which side of their heads bilaterally presented clicks/pulses that varied in interaural level or timing lateralized. All children experienced a delay in the non-implanted ear that resulted in 2.0 ± 0.35 ms longer peak latencies. These were further prolonged in 7 children as measured by longer interwave latencies from this ear than from the implanted ear. Despite large asymmetries in timing of brainstem activity between the two ears, all children perceived changes in interaural level differences. They were unable to detect differences in interaural timing cues. Symmetric brainstem function suggests bilateral development was preserved in some children. Future work will explore whether these children have better potential for developing binaural hearing using bimodal input.

scholarly journals Applicability of subcortical EEG metrics of synaptopathy to older listeners with impaired audiograms

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Garrett ◽  
Sarah Verhulst
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Outer Hair Cell ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Responses ◽  
Individual Factors ◽  
Noise Floor ◽  
Age Related

AbstractEmerging evidence suggests that cochlear synaptopathy is a common feature of sensorineural hearing loss, but it is not known whether electrophysiological metrics targeting synaptopathy in animals can be applied to a broad range of people, such as those with impaired audiograms. This study investigates the applicability of subcortical electrophysiological measures associated with synaptopathy such as auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and envelope following responses (EFRs) in older participants with high-frequency sloping audiograms. This is important for the development of reliable and sensitive synaptopathy diagnostics in people with normal or impaired outer-hair-cell function. Broadband click-ABRs at different sound pressure levels and EFRs to amplitude-modulated stimuli were recorded, as well as relative EFR and ABR metrics which reduce individual factors such as head size and noise floor level. Most tested metrics showed significant differences between the groups and did not always follow the trends expected from synaptopathy. Audiometric hearing loss and age-related hearing related deficits interacted to affect the electrophysiological metrics and complicated their interpretation in terms of synaptopathy. This study contributes to a better understanding of how electrophysiological synaptopathy metrics differ in ears with healthy and impaired audiograms, which is an important first step towards unravelling the perceptual consequences of synaptopathy.

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