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A comparison of detection and discrimination of temporal asymmetry in amplitude modulation.

Two compound experiments were performed to compare the detection of amplitude modulation with the discrimination of modulator shape when the modulators have strong temporal asymmetry. In experiment 1, an adaptive procedure was used to measure detection and discrimination as a function of modulation frequency from 4 to 400 Hz. In experiment 2, the method of constant stimuli was used to measure psychometric functions for detection and discrimination at one modulation frequency, 8 Hz. The asymmetric modulators were time-reversed pairs. Thus their envelope spectra are identical and models based on the envelope spectrum would predict no effect of asymmetry on detection or discrimination at any modulation depth. The detection results show, as predicted, that the direction of asymmetry does not affect the detectability of modulation in either experiment. In contrast, the discrimination results show that direction of asymmetry is readily discriminable for modulation frequencies less than about 50 Hz, indicating that envelope-spectrum models will require modification if they are to be extended to include discrimination of temporal asymmetry.

Auditory Perception↗

The role of spectral and periodicity cues in auditory stream segregation, measured using a temporal discrimination task.

In a previous paper, it was shown that sequential stream segregation could be based on both spectral information and periodicity information, if listeners were encouraged to hear segregation [Vliegen and Oxenham, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 105, 339-346 (1999)]. The present paper investigates whether segregation based on periodicity information alone also occurs when the task requires integration. This addresses the question: Is segregation based on periodicity automatic and obligatory? A temporal discrimination task was used, as there is evidence that it is difficult to compare the timing of auditory events that are perceived as being in different perceptual streams. An ABA ABA ABA... sequence was used, in which tone B could be either exactly at the temporal midpoint between two successive tones A or slightly delayed. The tones A and B were of three types: (1) both pure tones; (2) both complex tones filtered through a fixed passband so as to contain only harmonics higher than the 10th, thereby eliminating detectable spectral differences, where only the fundamental frequency (f0) was varied between tones A and B; and (3) both complex tones with the same f0, but where the center frequency of the spectral passband varied between tones. Tone A had a fixed frequency of 300 Hz (when A and B were pure tones) or a fundamental frequency (f0) of 100 Hz (when A and B were complex tones). Five different intervals, ranging from 1 to 18 semitones, were used. The results for all three conditions showed that shift thresholds increased with increasing interval between tones A and B, but the effect was largest for the conditions where A and B differed in spectrum (i.e., the pure-tone and the variable-center-frequency conditions). The results suggest that spectral information is dominant in inducing (involuntary) segregation, but periodicity information can also play a role.

Adolescent↗

[A testing arrangement for spatial hearing].

A test-situation which concerns the spatial character of hearing is demonstrated. The subject indicates the estimated location of the stimulus. The WN is presented at a short distance from the head and thus discrepancies in distance can also be discriminated. The subjective space of man (polar system of coordinates) consists of three dimensions (horizontal, vertical and distance equals radius); for each of these three dimensions the average shift of the centre and the standard deviation (representing the error) are calculated. When testing lateral (45 degrees right or left) the average error is a little smaller for the horizontal scale than for the vertical. As far as the distance is concerned the results of the 21 subjects varied considerably; while some of the persons showed surprisingly good location ability, others supposed the noise to come from even outside the camera silens. The investigation has been carried out to contribute to the exploration of subjective acoustic space. It is also planned to apply the test as a diagnostic procedure in various neurological disturbances.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

[Experiences with the implantation of a multichannel electrode in the acoustic nerve].

The authors developed a surgical approach to the acoustic nerve enabling the introduction of an electrode into the acoustic nerve. A multichannel electrode was implanted by this method in a deaf patient. The receiver casing for percutaneous transmission was fixed in the mastoid. Encouraging hearing results were obtained over a period of two months by electrical stimulation of the acoustic nerve.

Auditory Perception↗

The role of the frontal and temporal lobes in the phonetic organization of speech stimuli: a multidimensional scaling analysis.

Auditory perception of 10 two-letter consonant-vowel syllables and visual short-term memory for sequences of the same syllables were examined in 28 patients with lesions in the frontal or temporal lobe of either hemisphere and in 12 normal control subjects. Multidimensional scaling analyses showed that manner of articulation and voicing were salient organizational categories for all groups on the auditory task whereas manner of articulation and place of articulation were the salient organizational clusters for all groups on the visual task. The pattern of confusion errors made by all groups on both tasks were consistent with some, but not all, of the phonetic distinctive features expected based on formal linguistic description of human phonology. No group showed a consistent lack of sensitivity across all phonetic features, arguing against the idea that use of a phonetic code is dependent upon any specific focal structure in the cerebral hemispheres.

Adolescent↗

Attending to visual or auditory motion affects perception within and across modalities: an event-related potential study.

The present event-related potential (ERP) study examined the role of dynamic features in multisensory binding. It was tested whether endogenous attention to the direction of motion affects processing of visual and auditory stimuli within and across modalities. Human participants perceived horizontally moving dot patterns and sounds that were presented either continuously (standards) or briefly interrupted (infrequent deviants). Their task was to detect deviants moving in a particular direction within a primary modality, but to detect all deviants irrespective of their motion direction within the secondary modality. Attending to the direction of visual motion resulted in a broad selection negativity (SN) starting at about 200 ms post-stimulus onset, and attending to the direction of auditory motion resulted in a positive difference wave at 150 ms that was followed by a broad negativity starting at about 200 ms (unimodal effects). Moreover, dot patterns moving in a direction that was attended within audition were detected faster and more accurately than oppositely moving stimuli and elicited a cross-modal SN wave. Corresponding cross-modal behavioural and ERP results were obtained for sounds moving in a direction that was attended within vision. Unimodal and cross-modal ERP attention effects partially differed in their scalp topography. The present study shows that dynamic features (direction of motion) may be used to link input across modalities and demonstrates for the first time that these multisensory interactions take place as early as about 200 ms after stimulus onset.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

[Intraoperative awareness and auditory evoked potentials].

Midlatency auditory evoked potentials (MLAEP) are suppressed dose-dependently during anaesthesia with a variety of general anaesthetics. Therefore, MLAEP have been proposed to measure depth of anaesthesia and to indicate intraoperative awareness. Several studies give evidence of a close relationship between MLAEP and motor signs of wakefulness, intraoperative awareness, and explicit and implicit memory functions during general anaesthesia. Summarising these data, one may conclude that there is a close hierarchical relation between cognitive function, memory and wakefulness during anaesthesia, and MLAEP latencies. A short Nb latency below 45 ms is consistent with conscious awareness and unimpaired memory function with explicit recall and adequate response to commands. When Nb latency increases to 45-50 ms, it may be associated with conscious awareness. Patients still respond to commands, but memory formation is impaired and explicit recall is lost. A further increase of Nb latencies seems to be consistent with unconscious awareness, characterised by implicit memory of intraoperative events; 60 ms seems to be the threshold value for motor signs of wakefulness during anaesthesia. With a further increase of MLAEP latency during anaesthesia, conscious awareness and memory formation, explicit and implicit recall, response to commands, and spontaneous purposeful movements during anaesthesia are blocked. The new volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane leads to a dose-dependent increase in MLAEP peak latencies and a decrease in MLAEP amplitudes. At about 1.5 vol.% end-expiratory sevoflurane concentration, MLAEP are significantly suppressed and Nb latency is in the range of 68-80 ms. Therefore, from the present data and those from the literature, one may expect that sevoflurane at concentrations greater than 1.5 vol.% for general anaesthesia would be able to suppress awareness phenomena such as purposeful movements, auditory perception, intraoperative wakefulness and awareness, memory formation, and explicit and implicit recall of intraoperative events.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and chronic electrical stimulation prevent VIII cranial nerve degeneration following denervation.

As with other cranial nerves and many CNS neurons, primary auditory neurons degenerate as a consequence of loss of input from their target cells, the inner hair cells (IHCs). Electrical stimulation (ES) of spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) has been shown to enhance their survival. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has also been shown to increase survival of SGCs following IHC loss. In this study, the combined effects of the GDNF transgene delivered by adenoviral vectors (Ad-GDNF) and ES were tested on SGCs after first eliminating the IHCs. Animal groups received Ad-GDNF or ES or both. Ad-GDNF was inoculated into the cochlea of guinea pigs after deafening, to overexpress human GDNF. ES-treated animals were implanted with a cochlear implant electrode and chronically stimulated. A third group of animals received both Ad-GDNF and ES (GDNF/ES). Electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses were recorded from ES-treated animals at the start and end of the stimulation period. Animals were sacrificed 43 days after deafening and their ears prepared for evaluation of IHC survival and SGC counts. Treated ears exhibited significantly greater SGC survival than nontreated ears. The GDNF/ES combination provided significantly better preservation of SGC density than either treatment alone. Insofar as ES parameters were optimized for maximal protection (saturated effect), the further augmentation of the protection by GDNF suggests that the mechanisms of GDNF- and ES-mediated SGC protection are, at least in part, independent. We suggest that GDNF/ES combined treatment in cochlear implant recipients will improve auditory perception. These findings may have implications for the prevention and treatment of other neurodegenerative processes. .

Animals↗

Midlatency auditory-evoked potentials in the assessment of sedation in cardiac surgery patients.

OBJECTIVES: Midlatency auditory-evoked potentials (MLAEPs) may provide an objective measure of depth of sedation. The aim of this study was to evaluate MLAEPs for measuring sedation in cardiac surgery patients. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Intensive care unit of a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting. INTERVENTIONS: MLAEPs were obtained at 5 time points: the day before surgery (baseline), 1 hour before surgery, after premedication, postoperatively during deep (Ramsay 6) and moderate (Ramsay 4) sedation, and the day after surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The latency of the Nb MLAEP component increased from 44 ms (38-60 ms; median, range) at baseline to 49 ms (41-64 ms) after premedication (p = 0.03) and further to 63 ms (48-80 ms) during deep sedation after surgery (P < 0.01). Although a decreasing clinical level of sedation after rewarming was not associated with a significant change in Nb latency (61 ms [42-78 ms]), the MLAEP NaPa amplitude increased from 0.9 muV (0.4-1.6 microV) to 1.3 muV (0.8-3.9 microV; p = 0.01). Nb latency remained increased the day after surgery (49 ms [37-71 ms]) as compared with baseline (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MLAEP latencies can reflect subtle changes in auditory perception, while amplitudes seem to change with transition between deep levels of sedation.

Adult↗

Long-term follow-up of cochlear implant users with ossified cochlea.

OBJECTIVE: Cochlear implantation surgery in ossified cochlea is a challenge, even for the experienced otologist. Short-term assessments of auditory perception show that implantation in partial or even extensive ossified cochlea could be achieved with varying success, but no long-term follow-up results have been published yet. DESIGN AND METHODS: This paper proposes a retrospective review of eight Nucleus cochlear implant users with ossified cochlea who have been followed on a 12- to 60-month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Auditory performances of users are reported at each control on a scale of 100 units divided into 4 skill zones of 25 units based on Erber's proposition, that is, detection, discrimination, identification, and recognition. RESULTS: Three of the eight subjects showed some progression in their auditory performances during the follow-up. The five other subjects showed no long-term progress in their auditory performance. CONCLUSIONS: Open-set comprehension could be achieved with the insertion of 9 to 10 electrodes of the Nucleus device. Auditory performance in users with ossified cochlea seems to be influenced by the same factors as in users with patent cochlea.

Adult↗

Frontal cerebral blood flow change associated with infant-directed speech.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the auditory perception of maternal utterances by neonates using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). METHODS: Twenty full-term, healthy neonates were included in this study. The neonates were tested in their cribs while they slept in a silent room. First, two probe holders were placed on the left and right sides of the forehead over the eyebrows using double-sided adhesive tape. The neonates were then exposed to auditory stimuli in the form of infant-directed speech (IDS) or adult-directed speech (ADS), sampled from each of the mothers, through an external auditory speaker. RESULTS: A 2 (stimulus: IDS and ADS) x 2 (recording site: channel 1 (right side) and channel 2 (left side)) analysis of variance for these relative oxygenated haemoglobin values showed that IDS (Mean = 0.25) increased brain function significantly (F = 3.51) more than ADS (Mean = -0.26). CONCLUSIONS: IDS significantly increased brain function compared with ADS. These results suggest that the emotional tone of maternal utterances could have a role in activating the brains of neonates to attend to the utterances, even while sleeping.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

The contribution of AERPs (MMN and LDN) to studying temporal vs. linguistic processing deficits in children with reading difficulties.

One of the factors responsible for the appearance of reading problems seems to be a difficulty in discriminating auditory stimuli presented in rapid succession, known as the 'temporal processing hypothesis'. In this study automatic discrimination processes were evaluated in 31 children with reading difficulties and 24 control children between 4 and 8 years of age, using a passive oddball paradigm, in which syllables (/ba/ and /da/) and complex tones were presented. Analysis of the MMN component revealed significant differences between the groups only in the task involving linguistic stimuli, detecting longer latency of the component in the experimental group. The LDN component showed lower amplitudes and delayed latencies in the experimental group during the processing of both types of stimuli. These differences, however, were more marked in the task involving syllables, where a higher mean amplitude was observed in the experimental group than in the control group in the right hemisphere. The task involving complex tones also revealed differences between the groups at the frontal electrodes, indicating different maturative courses of the potential. The findings demonstrate the existence of a strongly pronounced preattentional auditory deficit during phonological processing, and also reveal important differences between the various stages of automatic information processing in children with and without reading disabilities.

Analysis of Variance↗

Temporal resolution of gaps in noise by the rat is lost with functional decortication.

In Experiment 1 (n = 8), the rat's ability to detect brief gaps in white noise was measured by gap-produced inhibition of an acoustic startle reflex, elicited 100 ms after the gap. After bilateral application of KCl to the cortex, gaps as long as 15 ms provided no reflex inhibition; in contrast, the inhibitory threshold was between 2 and 4 ms in the saline control condition. In Experiment 2 (n = 13), noise pulses of 40, 50, or 70 dB were presented 20-500 ms before the startle stimulus, and in Experiment 3 (n = 5) noise offsets occurred so that the startle stimulus was presented at the end of a 2-30-ms gap. Noise pulses and offsets both inhibited reflex expression equally in saline- and KCl-treated animals. Differences between the normal (saline) functions of noise offsets and gaps suggest additional sensory processing with the longer lead time. The loss of gap sensitivity after KCl application indicates that gap processing, unlike pulses and offsets, depends on cortical mechanisms.

Animals↗

Auditory reaction times for functional and nonfunctional hearing loss.

Differences in decision processes as measured by auditory reaction times of simulated or actual functional hearing-loss subjects and nonfunctional subjects were investigated. Sensation level data are presented that reflect marked differences between such individuals with regard to probability of response, and means and standard deviations of auditory reaction times. Means and standard deviations of auditory reaction times for nonfunctional subjects are greatly reduced when compared with results obtained by simulated or actual functional subjects. Probability of response data was less effective in differentiating functional from nonfunctional subjects. Individuals who were trained to simulate hearing loss responded in a manner similar to functional patients. The results of this study suggest that auditory reaction time measures can be employed to determine the existence or nonexistence of functional hearing loss with considerable accuracy.

Audiometry↗

Loudness adaptation at high frequencies.

Loudness adaptation was measured for pure tones at 4, 12, 14, and 16 kHz. In three experiments, a total of 87 young listeners judged--by the method of successive magnitude estimation--the loudness of the tones over a 6-min exposure period. Thresholds were measured by an adaptive 2IFC procedure. Although earlier measurements had shown that adaptation near threshold increases with frequency, these new data reveal that the increase is especially marked at higher sensation levels. Thus, at 40 dB SL, over a 6-min period loudness declined by 18% at 4 kHz and by 94% at 16 kHz. Moreover, the 4-kHz tone remained audible for all listeners throughout the 6-min exposure period whereas the 16-kHz tone became inaudible for two-thirds of them by the end of the exposure period. Listeners with relatively low thresholds (< 50 dB SPL) at 16 kHz showed much less adaptation at 14 kHz than at 16 kHz and much less than listeners with relatively high thresholds (> 50 dB SPL) at 16 kHz; this latter group showed strong adaptation at 14 kHz. The marked loudness adaptation of steady tones at very high frequencies and relatively high sensation levels is associated with a restricted spread of excitation in the auditory system resulting from the steep rise of the threshold curve at the highest audible frequencies.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Detection of a mistuned component in a harmonic complex.

The ability to detect a mistuned component in a harmonic complex was measured as a function of harmonic number under three different stimulus procedures: simultaneous monotic, successive monotic, and simultaneous dichotic. In the first experiment, the fundamental frequency was 200 Hz, and the stimulus duration was 410 ms. The threshold obtained in the simultaneous-monotic procedure was lower than those obtained in the other two procedures, especially for harmonics above the third. It is argued that an envelope cue associated with lower-frequency components in the power spectrum of the envelope was the primary cue for the detection of a mistuned component in a harmonic complex in the simultaneous-monotic procedure. Thresholds did not differ for successive-monotic and simultaneous-dichotic procedures, suggesting that the detection of the mistuning was mediated above the level of the cochlea. In the second and third experiments, the stimulus duration and the fundamental frequency of the complex was altered. The envelope cue seemed to be weakened by decreasing the stimulus duration and by increasing the fundamental frequency.

Adolescent↗