scholarly journals Proficiency in Using Level Cue for Sound Localization Is Related to the Auditory Cortical Structure in Patients With Single-Sided Deafness

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ja Hee Kim ◽  
Leeseul Shim ◽  
Junghwa Bahng ◽  
Hyo-Jeong Lee

Spatial hearing, which largely relies on binaural time/level cues, is a challenge for patients with asymmetric hearing. The degree of the deficit is largely variable, and better sound localization performance is frequently reported. Studies on the compensatory mechanism revealed that monaural level cues and monoaural spectral cues contribute to variable behavior in those patients who lack binaural spatial cues. However, changes in the monaural level cues have not yet been separately investigated. In this study, the use of the level cue in sound localization was measured using stimuli of 1 kHz at a fixed level in patients with single-sided deafness (SSD), the most severe form of asymmetric hearing. The mean absolute error (MAE) was calculated and related to the duration/age onset of SSD. To elucidate the biological correlate of this variable behavior, sound localization ability was compared with the cortical volume of the parcellated auditory cortex. In both SSD patients (n = 26) and normal controls with one ear acutely plugged (n = 23), localization performance was best on the intact ear side; otherwise, there was wide interindividual variability. In the SSD group, the MAE on the intact ear side was worse than that of the acutely plugged controls, and it deteriorated with longer duration/younger age at SSD onset. On the impaired ear side, MAE improved with longer duration/younger age at SSD onset. Performance asymmetry across lateral hemifields decreased in the SSD group, and the maximum decrease was observed with the most extended duration/youngest age at SSD onset. The decreased functional asymmetry in patients with right SSD was related to greater cortical volumes in the right posterior superior temporal gyrus and the left planum temporale, which are typically involved in auditory spatial processing. The study results suggest that structural plasticity in the auditory cortex is related to behavioral changes in sound localization when utilizing monaural level cues in patients with SSD.

2019 ◽  
Vol 372 ◽  
pp. 62-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martijn J.H. Agterberg ◽  
Ad F.M. Snik ◽  
Rens M.G. Van de Goor ◽  
Myrthe K.S. Hol ◽  
A. John Van Opstal

1984 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 819-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. Jenkins ◽  
M. M. Merzenich

Small lesions designed to completely destroy the cortical zone of representation of a restricted band of frequency were introduced within the primary auditory cortex (AI) in adult cats. Physiological mapping was used to guide placement of lesions. Sound-localization performance was evaluated prior to and after induction of these lesions in a seven-choice free-sound-field apparatus. All tested cats had profound contralateral hemifield deficits for the localization of brief tones at frequencies roughly corresponding to those whose representations were destroyed by the lesion. Sound-localization performance was normal at all other test frequencies. In a single adult cat, a massive lesion destroyed nearly all auditory cortex unilaterally, with only the representation of a narrow band of frequency within AI spared by the lesion. This cat had normal abilities for azimuthal sound localization across that frequency band but a profound contralateral deficit for the azimuthal localization of brief sounds at all other frequencies. Recorded sound-localization deficits were permanent. Localization of long-duration tones was not affected by a unilateral AI lesion. These studies indicate that, at least in cats, AI is necessary for normal binaural sound-localization behavior; among auditory cortical fields, AI is sufficient for normal binaural sound-localization behavior; sound-location representation is organized by frequency channel in the auditory forebrain; and AI in each hemisphere contributes to only contralateral free-sound-field location representation.


1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 2346-2357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchell Steinschneider ◽  
Igor O. Volkov ◽  
M. Daniel Noh ◽  
P. Charles Garell ◽  
Matthew A. Howard

Voice onset time (VOT) is an important parameter of speech that denotes the time interval between consonant onset and the onset of low-frequency periodicity generated by rhythmic vocal cord vibration. Voiced stop consonants (/b/, /g/, and /d/) in syllable initial position are characterized by short VOTs, whereas unvoiced stop consonants (/p/, /k/, and t/) contain prolonged VOTs. As the VOT is increased in incremental steps, perception rapidly changes from a voiced stop consonant to an unvoiced consonant at an interval of 20–40 ms. This abrupt change in consonant identification is an example of categorical speech perception and is a central feature of phonetic discrimination. This study tested the hypothesis that VOT is represented within auditory cortex by transient responses time-locked to consonant and voicing onset. Auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) elicited by stop consonant-vowel (CV) syllables were recorded directly from Heschl's gyrus, the planum temporale, and the superior temporal gyrus in three patients undergoing evaluation for surgical remediation of medically intractable epilepsy. Voiced CV syllables elicited a triphasic sequence of field potentials within Heschl's gyrus. AEPs evoked by unvoiced CV syllables contained additional response components time-locked to voicing onset. Syllables with a VOT of 40, 60, or 80 ms evoked components time-locked to consonant release and voicing onset. In contrast, the syllable with a VOT of 20 ms evoked a markedly diminished response to voicing onset and elicited an AEP very similar in morphology to that evoked by the syllable with a 0-ms VOT. Similar response features were observed in the AEPs evoked by click trains. In this case, there was a marked decrease in amplitude of the transient response to the second click in trains with interpulse intervals of 20–25 ms. Speech-evoked AEPs recorded from the posterior superior temporal gyrus lateral to Heschl's gyrus displayed comparable response features, whereas field potentials recorded from three locations in the planum temporale did not contain components time-locked to voicing onset. This study demonstrates that VOT at least partially is represented in primary and specific secondary auditory cortical fields by synchronized activity time-locked to consonant release and voicing onset. Furthermore, AEPs exhibit features that may facilitate categorical perception of stop consonants, and these response patterns appear to be based on temporal processing limitations within auditory cortex. Demonstrations of similar speech-evoked response patterns in animals support a role for these experimental models in clarifying selected features of speech encoding.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taishi Hosaka ◽  
Marino Kimura ◽  
Yuko Yotsumoto

AbstractWe have a keen sensitivity when it comes to the perception of our own voices. We can detect not only the differences between ourselves and others, but also slight modifications of our own voices. Here, we examined the neural correlates underlying such sensitive perception of one’s own voice. In the experiments, we modified the subjects’ own voices by using five types of filters. The subjects rated the similarity of the presented voices to their own. We compared BOLD (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent) signals between the voices that subjects rated as least similar to their own voice and those they rated as most similar. The contrast revealed that the bilateral superior temporal gyrus exhibited greater activities while listening to the voice least similar to their own voice and lesser activation while listening to the voice most similar to their own. Our results suggest that the superior temporal gyrus is involved in neural sharpening for the own-voice. The lesser degree of activations observed by the voices that were similar to the own-voice indicates that these areas not only respond to the differences between self and others, but also respond to the finer details of own-voices.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayoung Choi ◽  
Hyunggoo Kwon ◽  
Sohee Jeon

AbstractThe accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) calculations is suboptimal for long or short eyes, which results in a low visual quality after multifocal IOL implantation. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the accuracy of IOL formulas (Barrett Universal II, SRK/T, Holladay 1, Hoffer Q, and Haigis) for the Acrysof IQ Panoptix TFNT IOL (Alcon Laboratories, Inc, Fort Worth, Texas, United States) implantation based on the axial length (AXL) from a large cohort of 2018 cases and identify the factors that are associated with a high mean absolute error (MAE). The Barrett Universal II showed the lowest MAE in the normal AXL group (0.30 ± 0.23), whereas the Holladay 1 and Hoffer Q showed the lowest MAE in the short AXL group (0.32 ± 0.22 D and 0.32 ± 0.21 D, respectively). The Haigis showed the lowest MAE in the long AXL group (0.24 ± 0.19 D). The Barrett Universal II did not perform well in short AXL eyes with higher astigmatism (P = 0.013), wider white-to-white (WTW; P < 0.001), and shorter AXL (P = 0.016). Study results suggest that the Barrett Universal II performed best for the TFNT IOL in the overall study population, except for the eyes with short AXL, particularly when the eyes had higher astigmatism, wider WTW, and shorter AXL.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sultana Amena Ferdoucy ◽  
Md Anower Hussain Mian ◽  
Nasrin Akhter ◽  
Md Shafiqul Alam ◽  
MA Sadek

Aims: Degenerative joint diseases and decreased bone mass i.e.  osteoporosis are two common age related skeletal disorders  responsible for pain and disability. Bangladesh has a high incidence  of osteoporosis and the incidence particularly in women, occurs  among a relatively younger age group than in the developed world.  However little is known about the correlation between degenerative  changes and osteoporosis in lumbar spine of elderly women. The  purpose of this study was to clarify this relationship in elderly women  of Dhaka, Bangladesh.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the department  of radiology and imaging of Bangladesh institute of research and  rehabilitation in diabetes, endocrine and metabolic disorders  (BIRDEM), Dhaka during the period of 1st January, 2009 to 31st  December, 2010. DEXA scan of spine and BMD measurement were  done at a renowned private hospital of Dhaka. Total 63 elderly female  aged between 50-75 years were randomly selected for this study.  Results: An inverse relationship between osteoporosis and  spondylosis in postmenopausal women as evaluated by bone  mineral density and semiquantitative scoring of spinal degeneration  was observed. A significant negative correlation (r=-0.53:p<0.05)  was found between T-score and grade. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cdcj.v10i1.13740 City Dent. Coll. J Volume-10, Number-1, January-2013


2002 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 540-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Foxe ◽  
Glenn R. Wylie ◽  
Antigona Martinez ◽  
Charles E. Schroeder ◽  
Daniel C. Javitt ◽  
...  

Using high-field (3 Tesla) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we demonstrate that auditory and somatosensory inputs converge in a subregion of human auditory cortex along the superior temporal gyrus. Further, simultaneous stimulation in both sensory modalities resulted in activity exceeding that predicted by summing the responses to the unisensory inputs, thereby showing multisensory integration in this convergence region. Recently, intracranial recordings in macaque monkeys have shown similar auditory-somatosensory convergence in a subregion of auditory cortex directly caudomedial to primary auditory cortex (area CM). The multisensory region identified in the present investigation may be the human homologue of CM. Our finding of auditory-somatosensory convergence in early auditory cortices contributes to mounting evidence for multisensory integration early in the cortical processing hierarchy, in brain regions that were previously assumed to be unisensory.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 233121651881380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang-Wenyi Liu ◽  
Xiaoting Cheng ◽  
Bing Chen ◽  
Kevin Peng ◽  
Akira Ishiyama ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heng-Le Wei ◽  
Yu-Chen Chen ◽  
Yu-Sheng Yu ◽  
Xi Guo ◽  
Gang-Ping Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging has confirmed auditory network dysfunction in migraine without aura (MwoA). Epidemiological investigations have disclosed that migraine is comorbid with many psychiatric symptoms. However, the underlying mechanisms of auditory cortex dysfunction linked to psychiatric disorders in MwoA remain unclear. The present study aimed to explore associations between brain activation in the auditory cortex and clinical and psychiatric characteristics in patients with MwoA during interictal periods.Methods: Resting-state data were acquired from patients with episodic MwoA (n=34) and healthy controls (n=30). Independent component analysis was used to extract and calculate the resting-state auditory network. Subsequently, we analyzed the correlations between spontaneous activation in the auditory cortex and clinical and psychiatric features in MwoA.Results: Compared with healthy controls, patients with MwoA showed increased activation in the left auditory cortex (i.e., superior temporal gyrus (STG), postcentral gyrus (PoCG) and insula). Brain activation in the left STG was positively correlated with anxiety scores, and activation in the left PoCG was negatively correlated with anxiety and depression scores. No significant differences were found in intracranial volume between the two groups.Conclusions: This study indicated that functional impairment and altered integration within the auditory cortex existed in patients with MwoA in the interictal period, suggesting that auditory cortex disruption as a biomarker may be implemented for the early diagnosis and prediction of neuropsychiatric impairment in MwoA.


Author(s):  
Snandan Sharma ◽  
Waldo Nogueira ◽  
A. John van Opstal ◽  
Josef Chalupper ◽  
Lucas H. M. Mens ◽  
...  

Purpose Speech understanding in noise and horizontal sound localization is poor in most cochlear implant (CI) users with a hearing aid (bimodal stimulation). This study investigated the effect of static and less-extreme adaptive frequency compression in hearing aids on spatial hearing. By means of frequency compression, we aimed to restore high-frequency audibility, and thus improve sound localization and spatial speech recognition. Method Sound-detection thresholds, sound localization, and spatial speech recognition were measured in eight bimodal CI users, with and without frequency compression. We tested two compression algorithms: a static algorithm, which compressed frequencies beyond the compression knee point (160 or 480 Hz), and an adaptive algorithm, which aimed to compress only consonants leaving vowels unaffected (adaptive knee-point frequencies from 736 to 2946 Hz). Results Compression yielded a strong audibility benefit (high-frequency thresholds improved by 40 and 24 dB for static and adaptive compression, respectively), no meaningful improvement in localization performance (errors remained > 30 deg), and spatial speech recognition across all participants. Localization biases without compression (toward the hearing-aid and implant side for low- and high-frequency sounds, respectively) disappeared or reversed with compression. The audibility benefits provided to each bimodal user partially explained any individual improvements in localization performance; shifts in bias; and, for six out of eight participants, benefits in spatial speech recognition. Conclusions We speculate that limiting factors such as a persistent hearing asymmetry and mismatch in spectral overlap prevent compression in bimodal users from improving sound localization. Therefore, the benefit in spatial release from masking by compression is likely due to a shift of attention to the ear with the better signal-to-noise ratio facilitated by compression, rather than an improved spatial selectivity. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16869485


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