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PubMed1991

Frequency selectivity for hearing-impaired and broadband-noise-masked normal listeners.

When evaluating frequency selectivity, it is difficult to determine if the deviation from normal performance observed for hearing-impaired listeners reflects abnormal cochlear function or normal, level-dependent changes in frequency selectivity. This experiment was designed to investigate the dependence of frequency-selectivity measures on threshold and signal level. Auditory-filter characteristics, critical ratios, forward-masked psychophysical tuning curves, and narrowband-noise masking patterns were obtained from normal-hearing listeners in quite and in the presence of broadband noise at five levels. These findings were then compared to previously obtained frequency-selectivity measurements for subjects with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss whose absolute thresholds are comparable to the normal-hearing listeners' masked thresholds. The results suggest that frequency selectivity deterioriates as threshold increases for all subjects. However, the poor frequency selectivity exhibited by hearing-impaired listeners may not be explained entirely by the effects of threshold and signal level. Nevertheless, because frequency selectivity is poorer in the normal auditory system at higher stimulus levels, the deviation from normal performance observed for hearing-impaired listeners may not be as large as previously suggested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Binaural loudness matches in unilaterally impaired listeners.

Binaural loudness matching data using a 21FC adaptive procedure were obtained in high-frequency, unilateral cochlear-impaired listeners. The matches were obtained at frequencies where both ears had similarly normal thresholds, and also at other frequencies where the impaired ear had various degrees of hearing loss. In these listeners, one presumed difference between the ears is the limited or altered spread of excitation in the impaired ear. In agreement with previous studies using other approaches (Hellman, 1974, 1978; Hellman & Meiselman, 1986; Moore, Glasberg, Hess & Birchall, 1985; Schneider & Parker, 1987), the results of the present study suggest that both the range and the slope of loudness growth function are not dependent on the spread of excitation, but instead are related primarily to the degree of threshold elevation at the test frequency. Following this suggestion, a spread-of-excitation-independent model, based upon a group of neurons with the same characteristic frequency (CF) but different thresholds, is proposed to account for loudness growth in both normal and recruitment cases. In particular, it is shown quantitatively that a compressed distribution of thresholds due to threshold elevation may be responsible for loudness recruitment in sensorineural hearing loss.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Vowel and consonant recognition with the aid of a multichannel cochlear implant.

In this report we review the vowel and consonant recognition ability of patients who use a multichannel cochlear implant and who achieve relatively good word identification scores. The results suggest that vowel recognition is accomplished by good resolution of the frequency of the first formant (F1) combined with poor resolution of the frequency of the second formant (F2). The results also suggest that consonant recognition is accomplished (1) by using information from the amplitude envelope, including periodicity/aperiodicity, as cues to manner and voicing, (2) by using F1 as an aid to the identification of manner and voicing, and (3) by using information from cochlear place of stimulation to provide a very crude indication of the shape of the frequency spectrum above 1 kHz.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Effects of amplitude compression on first- and second-order modulation detection thresholds in cochlear implant listeners.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of instantaneous non-linear amplitude mapping on the detection of single-component and multicomponent temporal envelopes. To address this issue, first- and second-order amplitude modulation detection thresholds were measured in four cochlear implant users with the intervention of the compression device of the implant processor. The compression device is set to produce either a strongly or a weakly logarithmic mapping of stimulus amplitude to electrical amplitude. 'First-order' modulation detection thresholds indicate the ability of listeners to detect sinusoidal amplitude modulation (SAM) applied to a white noise carrier; they are measured as a function of the rate of that modulation, fm. 'Second-order' modulation detection thresholds indicate the ability to detect sinusoidal modulation applied to the depth of a sinusoidally amplitude-modulated signal (here, a 16-Hz sinusoidally amplitude-modulated white noise); they are measured as a function of the rate of the modulation applied to the modulation depth (referred to as fm'). In each task, stimuli are transformed by the implant processor and are presented through one electrode at approximately the same level. The results show that, in cochlear implant listeners, both first- and second-order modulation detection thresholds measured at the lower rates (< or =7 Hz) decrease slightly by about 3-6dB when the stronger compression is used. No effect of compression is observed at higher rates. These results suggest that instantaneous logarithmic amplitude mapping has beneficial- but limited-effects on the detection of single-component and multicomponent temporal envelopes. These results are discussed in light of current models of temporal envelope processing.

Auditory Threshold↗
PubMed2004

Auditory measures in clinically depressed individuals. I. Basic measures and transient otoacoustic emissions.

This is the first paper in a series of two papers addressing possible differences in auditory function between individuals with and without clinical depression. Clinical depression is a common yet serious medical condition diagnosed based on the patient's symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely prescribed if the symptoms are determined to be consistent with low serotonin levels. Three groups of individuals were tested: the control group consisted of subjects with no depression; the medicated group consisted of subjects with depression who were on SSRIs for at least a month: the unmedicated group consisted of subjects with depression who were unmedicated for at least a month. The results indicated no significant differences between the groups in pure-tone threshold, uncomfortable loudness levels, dynamic range of hearing, and acoustic reflex thresholds However, the unmedicated group exhibited higher amplitudes of transient otoacoustic emissions compared to the control group, especially in the right ear.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗
PubMed2005

The effect of audibility, signal-to-noise ratio, and temporal speech cues on the benefit from fast-acting compression in modulated noise.

The objective of the experiment was to investigate three aspects that might contribute to the benefit of fast-acting compression seen in normal-hearing listeners. Six normal-hearing listeners were tested with speech recognition in a fully modulated noise (FUM) either through a fast-acting compressor or through linear amplification. In the first experiment, three different presentation levels of the FUM noise (15, 30, and 45 dB SL) were tested. The second experiment manipulated the control signal of the compressor independently of the audio input signal at four signal-to-noise ratios (-15, 10, -5, and 0 dB). A signal correlated noise version of the speech signal was tested in the third experiment at three speech-to-noise ratios (-20, -15 and -10 dB). Results showed that performance was better with compression than with linear amplification through all of the tested conditions at least when the signal-to-noise ratio was negative. The results suggest that other aspects of the hearing impairment than those simulated here are involved in the degraded performance seen for some hearing-impaired listeners with fast-acting compression.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2006

Preferred overall loudness. I: Sound field presentation in the laboratory.

This study questions the basic assumption that prescriptive methods for nonlinear, wide dynamic range compression (WDRC) hearing aids should restore overall loudness to normal. Fifteen normal-hearing listeners and twenty-four hearing-impaired listeners (with mild to moderate hearing loss, twelve with and twelve without hearing aid experience) participated in laboratory tests. The participants first watched and listened to video sequences and rated how loud and how interesting the situations were. For the hearing-impaired participants, gain was applied according to the NAL-NL1 prescription. Despite the fact that the NAL-NL1 prescription led to less than normal overall calculated loudness, according to the loudness model of Moore and Glasberg (1997), the hearing-impaired participants rated loudness higher than the normal-hearing participants. The participants then adjusted a volume control to preferred overall loudness. Both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired participants preferred less than normal overall calculated loudness. The results from the two groups of hearing-impaired listeners did not differ significantly.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Preferred overall loudness. II: Listening through hearing aids in field and laboratory tests.

In a laboratory study, we found that normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners preferred less than normal overall calculated loudness (according to a loudness model of Moore & Glasberg, 1997). The current study verified those results using a research hearing aid. Fifteen hearing-impaired and eight normal-hearing participants used the hearing aid in the field and adjusted a volume control to give preferred loudness. The hearing aid logged the preferred volume control setting and the calculated loudness at that setting. The hearing-impaired participants preferred, in median, loudness levels of -14 phon re normal for input levels from 50 to 89 dB SPL. The normal-hearing participants preferred close to normal overall loudness. In subsequent laboratory tests, using the same hearing aid, both hearing-impaired and normal-hearing listeners preferred less than normal overall calculated loudness, and larger reductions for higher input levels In summary, the hearing-impaired listeners preferred less than normal overall calculated loudness, whereas the results for the normal-hearing listeners were inconclusive.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Reported hearing protection use in young adults from Sweden and the USA: effects of attitude and gender.

The present study investigates differences between a Swedish and an American sample of young students regarding attitudes towards noise and the use of hearing protection at concerts. The study population was comprised of 179 participants from Sweden and 203 participants from the United States, who ranged in age from 17 to 21 years. Questionnaires were used to gather information on hearing symptoms and attitudes towards noise (Youth Attitude to Noise Scale). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that attitudes towards noise differed significantly due to gender and country. Men had slightly more positive attitude towards noise than women, and men from the USA had more positive attitudes than men from Sweden. Least positive were the women from Sweden (except regarding attitudes towards the ability to concentrate in noisy environments). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the influence of attitudes towards noise and country on young people's use of hearing protection at concerts. The results indicated that attitudes and country explained 50% of the variance in use of hearing protection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Spectral loudness summation as a function of duration for hearing-impaired listeners.

Spectral loudness summation was measured for 10- and 1000-ms long bandpass-noise signals with bandwidths in the range of 0.2 to 6.4 kHz centered at 2 kHz for nine listeners with hearing impairment of primarily cochlear origin. Loudness matches between signals with the same duration and different bandwidth were obtained using an adaptive two-interval, two-alternative forced-choice procedure with interleaved tracks. The 3200-Hz wide reference signal had a level of 45 dB or 65 dB SPL. Every signal was individually frequency equalized prior to presentation in order to ensure audibility of all spectral components for the two reference input levels. Generally the same amount of spectral loudness summation for 10- and 1000-ms long signals was obtained for both reference levels. However, some hearing-impaired listeners show, similarly to normal-hearing listeners, a larger spectral loudness summation for short than for long duration signals, indicating that duration effects in spectral loudness summation are caused by retrocochlear processes.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2006

Effects of applied contact force and volume control setting on output force levels of the BAHA Softband.

The BAHA Softband has been developed to provide a transcutaneous anchor for a BAHA until a child is a surgical candidate for the percutaneous BAHA implant. We tested the objective output force level of the BAHA Classic 300 and Compact connected to a Softband on an artificial mastoid to determine: (1) the effects of direct contact force on output force levels (dB); and (2) the required volume control setting to ensure audibility of speech (assuming an average adult reference equivalent threshold force level). Direct contact force was varied from 2 to 5 N in 1 N steps. Output force level increased with increasing contact force. However, the average increase was 3 dB or lower, suggesting that the contact force is of minor importance. Volume control setting appears to be of much greater importance. It is suggested that the volume setting of either device be set to at least 2.5 to ensure audibility of conversational speech. Data from normal-hearing adults with simulated conductive hearing losses are presented to validate this conclusion.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The subjective evaluation of the expansion time constant in single-channel wide dynamic range compression hearing instruments.

The present study investigated the subjective evaluation of expansion time constants in single-channel wide dynamic range compression (WDRC) hearing instruments. Thirty participants utilized binaural WDRC hearing instruments for a two-week trial. Subjective evaluations were conducted by having each participant rate their satisfaction with the expansion time constant on a daily basis and by having each participant indicate their preferred expansion time constant following the completion of the two-week trial. Each change in expansion time constant significantly affected listener satisfaction; however, all time constants resulted in satisfactory performance. Of the users expressing a preference, 75% preferred fast-acting over slow-acting expansion. These findings suggest that dynamic expansion parameters play an important role in determining the effectiveness of the feature for a given listener.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Preliminary evidence of asymmetry in uncomfortable loudness levels after unilateral hearing aid experience: evidence of functional plasticity in the adult auditory system.

The aim of the study was to compare uncomfortable loudness levels (ULLs) in a group of adults before and after unilateral hearing aid experience. Twelve participants presented with a symmetrical hearing loss consistent with natural ageing. Pure tones were presented to each ear separately, commencing at 60 dB HL and increased in 5-dB step sizes until ULL was reached. The post-fitting ULLs were typically measured three years after fitting. Hearing thresholds were symmetrical and remained unchanged after fitting. Mean ULL values were symmetrical before fitting. The mean ULL values increased (i.e. greater tolerance) in both ears after fitting; however, the increase was greatest in the fitted ear: 14.5 and 7 dB at 2000-4000 Hz in the fitted and not-fitted ear, respectively. A separate two-factor repeated ANOVA (ear and frequency) was performed on the pre and post-fitting ULL data. There was no statistically significant difference for ear (p > 0.05) when comparing the pre-fitting ULLs. However, there was a statistically significant difference for ear (p < 0.01) when comparing post-fitting ULLs. The underlying mechanism for the asymmetry is unknown but it is consistent with learning induced reorganization within the auditory system.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1996

Does immediate arousal enhance response force in simple reaction time?

Three experiments assessed the hypothesis that immediate arousal enhances response force in speeded reaction-time tasks. Immediate arousal was manipulated via the physical characteristics of a warning signal that closely preceded the imperative response signal. The first experiment revealed that responses were more forceful and faster for a loud than for a soft warning signal. The second experiment manipulated the duration of an auditory warning signal; more forceful but slower responses were obtained for longer durations of the warning signal. The third experiment employed a visual warning signal, and its intensity was either rather weak or moderately bright; more forceful responses and slightly faster responses were observed for the brighter warning signal. Although the results of Experiment 1 and 2 may agree with an arousal account, the findings of Experiment 3 argue against such an account. A stimulus-response compatibility hypothesis is suggested as one possible alternative account.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Pathophysiological changes of the central auditory pathway after blunt trauma of the head.

It is the aim of the present paper to correlate clinical symptoms of auditory dysfunction (tinnitus, hyperacusis, hearing loss) one year on average after a blunt trauma of the head with objective audiological test results (otoacoustic emission and auditory brainstem response testing, impedance audiometry) and to compare these findings to controls without history of head trauma. Thirty-one patients (24-56 years) were included. They were largely female (n = 26). The clinical and otolaryngological examination (including otoscopy) of all patients revealed no pathological abnormalities. Pure-tone audiograms were normal with one exception (pre-existing noise-induced hearing loss) as well as tympanograms. The main auditory symptoms were tinnitus (n = 9), hyperacusis (n = 2) and a reported transient hearing loss immediately after the trauma (n = 16) (which had improved at the time of examination). The results of testing the central auditory pathway showed that the transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (otoemissions) revealed statistically significant differences between amplitude differences of all patients as well as patients with tinnitus and controls in the linear, but not in the non-linear stimulation mode. A complete loss of stapedial reflex responses was found in 12 of the patients and a partial (irregular) loss (in at least more than two frequencies) in four additional patients. Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were normal in all patients, but 76% had lowered loudness discomfort levels (LDL). Blunt trauma of the head can lead to auditory dyfunction, probably as a result of diffuse axonal injury of the central auditory pathway. An initial sensorineural hearing loss after the trauma (as a result of the inner ear fluid concussion) was transiently reported only. Auditory symptoms play a minor role in the so-called "postconcussive syndrome," but should be considered and evaluated fully.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Amplitude and frequency-modulated stimuli activate common regions of human auditory cortex.

Hall et al. (Hall et al., 2002, Cerebral Cortex 12:140-149) recently showed that pulsed frequency-modulated tones generate considerably higher activation than their unmodulated counterparts in non-primary auditory regions immediately posterior and lateral to Heschl's gyrus (HG). Here, we use fMRI to explore the type of modulation necessary to evoke such differential activation. Carrier signals were a single tone and a harmonic-complex tone, with a 300 Hz fundamental, that were modulated at a rate of 5 Hz either in frequency, or in amplitude, to create six stimulus conditions (unmodulated, FM, AM). Relative to the silent baseline, the modulated tones, in particular, activated widespread regions of the auditory cortex bilaterally along the supra-temporal plane. When compared with the unmodulated tones, both AM and FM tones generated significantly greater activation in lateral HG and the planum temporale, replicating the previous findings. These activation patterns were largely overlapping, indicating a common sensitivity to both AM and FM. Direct comparisons between AM and FM revealed a higher magnitude of activation in response to the variation in amplitude than in frequency, plus a small part of the posterolateral region in the right hemisphere whose response was specifically AM-, and not FM-, dependent. The dominant pattern of activation was that of co-localized activation by AM and FM, which is consistent with a common neural code for AM and FM within these brain regions.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1986

Taste and aging.

Taste thresholds are known to rise with age, but the status of suprathreshold sensations is less clear. The present study assessed the perceived intensities of sodium chloride, sucrose, citric acid, and quinine hydrochloride with the method of magnitude matching. This method takes advantage of participants' ability to judge sensations from two sensory continua (in this case taste intensity and loudness) on a common intensity scale, in effect, matching them. Elderly and young adults matched most of the moderate and strong tastes to the same loudnesses. If the sounds were equivalently loud to elderly and young adults, then these results would mean that moderate and strong tastes were also equivalently strong, that is, taste sensation had not faded for our elderly adults. Water and dilute taste solutions were matched to louder sounds by elderly than young participants. This may reflect the presence of a mild dysgeusia (background taste).

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of cardiovascular responses to noise during waking and sleeping in humans.

Eighty subjects, 40 men and 40 women, were allocated to one of two groups according to their self-estimated high or low sensitivity to noise. In the first part of the experiment, they were exposed to sequences of common noises during the morning or the afternoon. The heart-rate and finger-pulse responses were measured and recorded in relation to sensitivity, sex of subjects, and time of day. The different types of noise were compared for both responses. The heart-rate response showed differences between sensitivity groups but not between noises. In contrast, no significant differences were obtained between sensitivity groups when using the finger-pulse response, but clear differences were observed between noises. In a second part of the experiment, 10 men and 10 women subjects were selected from the previous two sensitivity groups. These 20 subjects were exposed during sleep to the same noises as during the daytime. Heart-rate and finger-pulse responses during sleep were significantly greater than during waking, and they did not differ significantly with respect to sensitivity to noise or gender. These two autonomic responses showed differences between noises that appeared to be related to their noise-equivalent-level value. Compared with the silent baseline night, the sleep pattern showed no significant modification in the night of noise disturbance, except for the frequency of transient activation phases, which was significantly increased in the latter.

Adult↗