INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT DEGREES AND CONFIGURATIONS OF Hearing loss IN THE EVALUATION OF THE AUDITORY PROCESSING IN AGED

Abstract People are increasingly exposed to environmental noise through the cumulation of occupational and recreational activities, which is considered harmless to the auditory system, if the sound intensity remains <80 dB. However, recent evidence of noise-induced peripheral synaptic damage and central reorganizations in the auditory cortex, despite normal audiometry results, has cast doubt on the innocuousness of lifetime exposure to environmental noise. We addressed this issue by exposing adult rats to realistic and nontraumatic environmental noise, within the daily permissible noise exposure limit for humans (80 dB sound pressure level, 8 h/day) for between 3 and 18 months. We found that temporary hearing loss could be detected after 6 months of daily exposure, without leading to permanent hearing loss or to missing synaptic ribbons in cochlear hair cells. The degraded temporal representation of sounds in the auditory cortex after 18 months of exposure was very different from the effects observed after only 3 months of exposure, suggesting that modifications to the neural code continue throughout a lifetime of exposure to noise.

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Hormones and Hearing: Central Auditory Processing in Women

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology ◽

10.3766/jaaa.17123 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (06) ◽

pp. 493-501

Author(s):

Skylar Trott ◽

Trey Cline ◽

Jeffrey Weihing ◽

Deidra Beshear ◽

Matthew Bush ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Auditory Processing ◽

Auditory Brainstem ◽

Human Model ◽

Central Auditory Processing ◽

Hormonal Changes ◽

Hearing Sensitivity ◽

Organ Systems ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Brainstem Response

AbstractEstrogen has been identified as playing a key role in many organ systems. Recently, estrogen has been found to be produced in the human brain and is believed contribute to central auditory processing. After menopause, a low estrogen state, many women report hearing loss but demonstrate no deficits in peripheral hearing sensitivity, which support the notion that estrogen plays an effect on central auditory processing. Although animal research on estrogen and hearing loss is extensive, there is little in the literature on the human model.The aim of this study was to evaluate relationships between hormonal changes and hearing as it relates to higher auditory function in pre- and postmenopausal (Post-M) females.A prospective, group comparison study.Twenty eight women between the ages of 18 and 70 at the University of Kentucky were recruited.Participants were separated into premenopausal and peri-/Post-M groups. Participants had normal peripheral hearing sensitivity and underwent a behavioral auditory processing battery and electrophysiological evaluation. An analysis of variance was performed to address the aims of the study.Results from the study demonstrated statistically significant difference between groups, where Post-M females had difficulties in spatial hearing abilities as reflected on the Listening in Spatialized Noise Test–Sentences test. In addition, measures on the auditory brainstem response and the middle latency response reflected statistically significant differences between groups with Post-M females having longer latencies.Results from the present study demonstrated significant differences between groups, particularly listening in noise. Females who present with auditory complaints in spite of normal hearing thresholds should have a more extensive audiological evaluation to further evaluate possible central deficits.

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Research Insights on Neural Effects of Auditory Deprivation and Restoration in Unilateral Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9030812 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 812 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jolijn Vanderauwera ◽

Elisabeth Hellemans ◽

Nicolas Verhaert

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Auditory Processing ◽

Onset Time ◽

Unilateral Hearing Loss ◽

Auditory Input ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Functional Neuroplasticity ◽

The Impact

Neuroplasticity following bilateral deafness and auditory restoration has been repeatedly investigated. In clinical practice, however, a significant number of patients present a severe-to-profound unilateral hearing loss (UHL). To date, less is known about the neuroplasticity following monaural hearing deprivation and auditory input restoration. This article provides an overview of the current research insights on the impact of UHL on the brain and the effect of auditory input restoration with a cochlear implant (CI). An exhaustive systematic review of the literature was performed selecting 38 studies that apply different neural analyses techniques. The main results show that the hearing ear becomes functionally dominant after monaural deprivation, reshaping the lateralization of the neural network for auditory processing, a process that can be considered to influence auditory restoration. Furthermore, animal models predict that the onset time of UHL impacts auditory restoration. Hence, the results seem to advocate for early restoration of UHL, although further research is required to disambiguate the effects of duration and onset of UHL on auditory restoration and on structural neuroplasticity following UHL deprivation and restoration. Ongoing developments on CI devices compatible with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examinations will provide a unique opportunity to investigate structural and functional neuroplasticity following CI restoration more directly.

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Audiological Correlates to a Rupture of a Pontine Arteriovenous Malformation

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology ◽

10.3766/jaaa.15.2.6 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 15 (02) ◽

pp. 161-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Frank E. Musiek ◽

Jane A. Baran

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Arteriovenous Malformation ◽

Auditory Processing ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Central Auditory Processing ◽

Central Auditory Processing Disorder ◽

Auditory Rehabilitation ◽

Initial Symptoms ◽

Recovery Mechanisms

This is a report of a female patient in her midthirties who sustained a hemorrhage secondary to an arteriovenous malformation in the region of the pons. The patient's initial symptoms included hearing loss and tinnitus, which were followed by the more characteristic symptoms of headache and loss of consciousness. Results of audiological testing at three months postaccident documented the presence of a hearing loss and a central auditory processing disorder, and the patient was provided an auditory rehabilitation program. Follow-up testing over the course of an additional year documented improvement in both pure-tone threshold and central test results; however, at 15 months postaccident, some auditory deficits remained, especially in the ear ipsilateral to the primary site of lesion. The anatomical correlates of these deficits are discussed, as are the potential contributions of both the auditory rehabilitation program and spontaneous recovery mechanisms to the documented improvements in auditory function.

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Suprathreshold auditory processing deficits in noise: Effects of hearing loss and age

Hearing Research ◽

10.1016/j.heares.2015.10.004 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 331 ◽

pp. 27-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Steffen Kortlang ◽

Manfred Mauermann ◽

Stephan D. Ewert

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Auditory Processing ◽

Noise Effects ◽

Processing Deficits

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Physiological and Neurobiological Bases of Age-Related Hearing Loss: Biotherapeutic Implications

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/1059-0889(2013/13-0003) ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 299-302 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Robert D. Frisina ◽

D. Robert Frisina

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Auditory Processing ◽

Stria Vascularis ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Age Related ◽

Women And Aging ◽

Auditory Tasks ◽

And Function ◽

Age Related Hearing Loss

Purpose The aim of this study was to highlight growing evidence of interactions between hormones and the structure and function of the auditory system. Method Recent studies implicating sex hormones and other natural hormones in the modulation of hearing status in age-related hearing loss were reviewed. Results Progesterone, a sex hormone, has been shown to have negative effects on the hearing of older women and aging mice, whereas, in contrast, estrogen was found in some cases to have a positive influence. Aldosterone, used in studies of animal models of autoimmune hearing loss, slowed the progression of hearing loss. Follow-up studies in humans revealed that auditory measures varied as serum aldosterone levels shifted within the normal range, in otherwise healthy older subjects. This was true for simple as well as complex auditory tasks (i.e., sound spatial processing), suggesting benefits of aldosterone to postperipheral auditory processing as well. In addition, evidence suggests that this functional hearing improvement occurred in association with anatomical improvements to the stria vascularis—an important site of anatomical change in presbycusis. Conclusions Audiology is now at the point where the search for biomedical interventions to modulate or prevent age-related hearing loss can move forward. Such interventions would require multidisciplinary collaborative initiatives by researchers in such areas as drug development, anatomy, auditory physiological and perceptual testing, and drug microdelivery systems.

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Does Auditory Processing Disorder Literature Apply to Learners With Hearing Loss?

The Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education ◽

10.1093/deafed/enm005 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 407-408

Author(s):

D. G. Sims

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Auditory Processing ◽

Auditory Processing Disorder

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Developmental hearing loss disrupts synaptic inhibition: implications for auditory processing

Future Neurology ◽

10.2217/fnl.09.5 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 331-349 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Anne E Takesian ◽

Vibhakar C Kotak ◽

Dan H Sanes

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Auditory Processing ◽

Synaptic Inhibition

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Hearing Characteristics of Stroke Patients: Prevalence and Characteristics of Hearing Impairment and Auditory Processing Disorders in Stroke Patients

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology ◽

10.3766/jaaa.15139 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 (06) ◽

pp. 491-505 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nehzat Koohi ◽

Deborah A. Vickers ◽

Rahul Lakshmanan ◽

Hoskote Chandrashekar ◽

David J. Werring ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Hearing Impairment ◽

Auditory Processing ◽

Otoacoustic Emissions ◽

Pure Tone Audiometry ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Central Auditory Processing ◽

Hearing Impairments ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Brainstem Response

Background: Stroke survivors may suffer from a range of hearing impairments that may restrict their participation in postacute rehabilitation programs. Hearing impairment may have a significant impact on listening, linguistic skills, and overall communication of the affected stroke patient. However, no studies sought to systematically characterize auditory function of stroke patients in detail, to establish the different types of hearing impairments in this cohort of patients. Such information would be clinically useful in understanding and addressing the hearing needs of stroke survivors. Purpose: The present study aimed to characterize and classify the hearing impairments, using a detailed audiological assessment test battery, in order to determine the level of clinical need and inform appropriate rehabilitation for this patient population. Research Design: A case–control study. Study Sample: Forty-two recruited stroke patients who were discharged from a stroke unit and 40 control participants matched for age. Data Collection and Analysis: All participants underwent pure-tone audiometry and immittance measurements including acoustic reflex threshold, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions, auditory-evoked brainstem response, and a central auditory processing assessment battery, performed in a single session. Hearing impairments were classified as peripheral hearing loss (cochlear and neural type), central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), and as a combination of CAPD and peripheral hearing loss. Results: Overall mean hearing thresholds were not significantly different between the control and stroke groups. The most common type of hearing impairment in stroke patients was the combination type, “peripheral and CAPD,” in the 61- to 80-yr-old subgroup (in 55%), and auditory processing deficits in 18- to 60-yr-olds (in 40%), which were both significantly higher than in controls. Conclusions: This is the first study to examine hearing function in detail in stroke patients. Given the importance of hearing for the efficiency of communication, it is essential to identify hearing impairments and differentiate peripheral and central deficits to define an appropriate intervention plan.

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