New insights into progressive hearing loss
A study found a microRNA gene, miR-96, associated with progressive hearing loss in humans and mice. The mutation disrupts the development of sensory hair cells, leading to dramatic loss of hearing.
Auditory Perception
Articles tagged with Auditory Perception
Researchers studying hearing loss find auditory regions of the brain convert to the sense of touch
Researchers discovered adult animals with hearing loss convert sense of touch to auditory regions of the brain, impacting quality of life. The study provides insight into the brain's ability to re-wire itself and may have implications for treatment of mild hearing loss in humans.
Study offers clues to beating hearing loss
Researchers have made a significant step forward in understanding the causes of certain forms of deafness by discovering that the myosin 7 motor protein moves and works differently from other myosins. This discovery could lead to new insights into Usher syndrome, a form of degenerative deaf-blindness.
Vitamin supplements may protect against noise-induced hearing loss
Researchers have found that vitamin supplements composed of antioxidants beta carotene, vitamins C and E, and magnesium can prevent both temporary and permanent hearing loss in test animals exposed to loud noise. The supplements may also provide 'post-noise rescue' by protecting against cell death and permanent hearing loss days after ...
Surviving dance club music (noise) with hearing intact
A global team of researchers has discovered an alteration in the ear's nAChR protein that contributes to protecting against permanent hearing loss by limiting sound. The study found that genetically altered mice with improved sound-blocking ability suffered less permanent hearing damage when exposed to loud sounds.
High-tech imaging of inner ear sheds light on hearing, behavior of oldest fossil bird
Researchers used CT imaging to accurately reconstruct inner ear anatomy in extinct birds and reptiles, shedding light on their hearing abilities and behavior. The study found that Archaeopteryx had a similar hearing range to modern emus, suggesting it was more bird-like than reptilian.
The language of emotion: Ad slogans in native tongues connect to consumers' emotions
A new study found that marketing messages in people's native languages are more effective at evoking emotions than those in foreign languages. The researchers believe this effect is due to personal memories and language context, which are more accessible when the message is written in the consumer's native tongue.
House Ear Institute, TGen and Belgian researchers identify gene in age-related hearing loss
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have identified a common variant in the GRM7 gene as being associated with susceptibility to glutamate excitotoxicity and hearing loss. The findings could lead to treatments that bring relief to millions of people worldwide suffering from age-related hearing loss.
Can vitamins and minerals prevent hearing loss?
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a vitamin and mineral combination that may prevent hearing loss caused by loud noises. The formula, called AuraQuell, was successful in laboratory tests and is now being tested in human clinical trials.
New tool to assess speech development in infants, toddlers with hearing impairments
A new assessment tool, Conditioned Assessment of Speech Production (CASP), monitors early auditory-guided speech development in infants and toddlers with hearing impairments. The five-minute procedure evaluates how closely a child's attempts match increasingly complex vocalizations.
Cutting edge discussion on age-related hearing loss
Age-Related Hearing Impairment (ARHI) affects nearly 1 in 3 people between the ages of 65 and 75, causing gradual changes in the inner ear. Recent advances in basic science may help prevent ARHI by understanding inner ear hair cell loss.
Study examines function of prosthetic ears in improving hearing, speech recognition
Prosthetic ears have been shown to improve sound pickup by 8.1 decibels, benefiting patients with normal hearing who wear them.
MRI reveals inner ear anomalies in children with hearing loss
Using MRI, researchers identified soft tissue defects contributing to hearing loss in children, affecting thousands of kids per year. The study found abnormalities in the cochlea and auditory nerve in 40% of ears with sensorineural hearing loss.
Molecular evolution is echoed in bat ears
Research by Queen Mary University of London scientists found that some bat species' echolocation genes are similar to those of fruit bats, indicating possible independent evolution of the trait. This suggests that echolocation may not be a single evolutionary event but rather an example of convergent evolution.
Molecular evolution is echoed in bat ears
Researchers studied the Prestin gene in echolocating bats and fruit bats, finding similarities in distantly related species. This suggests that echolocation has evolved more than once in bats, defying conventional wisdom on evolutionary relationships.
Biophysical method may help to recover hearing
Scientists have created a biophysical methodology to retune functioning regions of the ear to recognize frequencies associated with damaged areas, which could remedy even substantial hearing loss. The method uses modifications that enable remapping of frequencies without losing auditory information.
Measuring the auditory dynamics of selective attention
The study found that recall of spoken digits was best when they came from the same loudspeaker, but degraded when switching attention to a new location. Sustaining attention to one continuous auditory stream led to refinements in selective attention over time.
Sound adds speed to visual perception
A recent study in monkeys found that auditory stimulation directly improves visual perception without involving higher brain areas. The researchers recorded neuronal responses and measured latency, showing a 5-10% decrease in response time when visual signals were weaker, suggesting the auditory cue speeds up the response.
Inherited form of hearing loss stems from gene mutation
Scientists identify a gene mutation in SLC17A8 that causes a previously unknown form of hereditary hearing loss, diminishing ability to hear high-frequency sounds. The mutation affects varying severity and onset age among individuals, highlighting the need for families and doctors to be alert for inherited hearing problems.
Study examines prevalence of hearing loss in the US
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that approximately 29 million Americans have speech frequency hearing loss, while an estimated 55 million have high-frequency hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss varies by age, gender, and ethnicity, with men being more likely to experience it.
Memory impairment associated with sound processing disorder
Researchers found a significant association between mild memory impairment and impaired central auditory processing. Individuals with mild memory impairment showed lower scores on central auditory processing tests, indicating difficulty managing competing signals.
New hearing aid technology passes the restaurant noise test
A new hearing aid technology has been shown to improve speech intelligibility in noisy environments like restaurants. The open-fit hearing aids with directional microphones outperformed traditional options and provided a 20% improvement in speech clarity.
MED-EL's new MAESTRO
MED-EL's new MAESTRO system demonstrates remarkable improvements in music enjoyment, with 91% of clinical investigation subjects reporting that music sounds pleasant with their cochlear implant. The FineHearing technology also provides statistically significant improvements in hearing in noisy environments.
Sound medicine
Scientists are exploring the use of sound waves to assess atherosclerotic plaques, monitor chronic liver disease, and deliver drugs to specific locations in the body. Researchers have also developed new techniques for treating cancer, including minimally invasive thermal ablation methods and microbubbles-based therapies.
Hearing loss is common in people with diabetes
Adults with diabetes are more likely to experience hearing loss due to the disease's impact on nerves and blood vessels in the inner ear. Researchers discovered a strong association between high-frequency sound sensitivity and diabetes, which may be linked to nerve damage and increased risk of heart disease.
New study: Hearing impairment is common among adults with diabetes
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that hearing impairment is common among adults with diabetes, affecting up to 54.1% of those with the condition. The study suggests that high blood sugar levels may damage the inner ear and nerves, leading to hearing loss.
How the brain separates audio signals from noise
A new study published in PLoS Biology uses magnetoencephalography to record brain activity as humans detect target tones in a complex auditory scene. The researchers find that the awareness of these sounds correlates with activity in high-level auditory regions, not the initial cortical region where sound is processed. This novel study...
St. Jude finds 'dancing' hair cells are key to humans' acute hearing
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that the prestin protein embedded in outer hair cell membranes plays a critical role in amplifying sound signals. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind acute hearing loss due to genetic mutations or drug overdoses.
Study links low-frequency hearing to shape of the cochlea
A study at Vanderbilt University establishes a direct link between cochlea curvature and low-frequency hearing limit, providing new insights into the evolution of hearing. The research found that spiral-shaped cochleae are exclusive to mammals and have a significant effect on hearing ranges.
NIH funds research that may lead to improved hearing for some
Researchers at Arizona State University are exploring the potential of electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) technology to improve hearing in individuals with profound hearing impairment. By combining electric and acoustic stimulation, EAS has been shown to provide significant benefits, including improved performance in noisy environments.
New findings contradict a prevailing belief about the inner ear
A new study contradicts a prevailing belief about otoacoustic emissions, revealing they travel through fluid in the inner ear rather than rippling along the basilar membrane. The findings offer insight into hearing loss and could lead to the development of tools to detect damage.
Island monkeys do not recognize big cat calls
Pig-tailed langurs on Mentawai islands show no alarm at tiger and leopard sounds but flee quickly from human voices. The study suggests animal behavior changes under relaxed selection pressures.
Cholesterol fine tunes hearing
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that cholesterol levels in outer hair cell membranes impact hearing. Depleting cholesterol resulted in hearing loss, while adding it initially increased hearing but later led to a decline.
Calling for research into deafness
Research funding into deafness in the UK is only a fraction of the estimated £13.5 billion in productivity losses due to hearing impairment. The Lancet Editorial highlights the need for further interventions to prevent or reverse hearing damage and improve quality of life for those affected.
WHO'S Web-based public hearings: hijacked by pharmaceutical industry?
The pharmaceutical industry has hijacked WHO's web-based public hearings to promote its own interests in research and development for neglected diseases and access to medicines. Patient advocacy groups have been found to receive funding from pharmaceutical companies, compromising their credibility.
Training and experience can affect brain organization, research shows
Research comparing music conductors and non-musicians found that experienced conductors
Elephants' fear of angry bees could help to protect them
A study found that African elephants strongly respond to the sound of disturbed bees, fleeing immediately after hearing it. This response could be used as a valuable tool for elephant conservation and deterrence.
Study expected to boost research for hearing and balance therapies
A new method has been developed to grow inner ear hair cells in the laboratory, providing a reliable source of cells for research. This breakthrough is expected to accelerate therapeutic advancements for millions of people worldwide affected by hearing and balance impairments.
260 million-year-old reptiles from Russia possessed the first modern ears
Fossils from Russia demonstrate that advanced hearing evolved much earlier than previously thought, around 260 million years ago. These early reptiles possessed a surprisingly modern ear with a large eardrum and bone structures similar to those found in modern animals.
Researcher developing new method for hearing loss assessment
A new technique to diagnose hearing loss is being developed at Purdue University, reflecting more natural listening situations with visual cues. The research aims to improve therapy and interventions, such as cochlear implants, for individuals with hearing loss.
'Holy Grail' of hearing: True identity of pivotal hearing structure is revealed
Researchers have identified two key proteins, cadherin 23 and protocadherin 15, that join together at the precise location where sound vibrations are converted into electrical impulses in the ear. This discovery sheds light on the hearing process and may lead to more precise therapies for treating people with hearing loss.
Study examines cause of hearing loss for patients with certain genetic disease
Patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease may experience sudden hearing loss due to endolymphatic sac tumors (ELSTs) associated with significant dysfunction of hearing and balance. Surgical intervention may be warranted for early diagnosis and treatment of ELSTs.
Can you hear me now? Stem cells enhance hearing recovery
Researchers have shown that bone marrow stem cells can speed up hearing recovery in rats with damaged inner ears. The stem cells repaired the injured cochlear fibrocytes, leading to faster recovery of high-frequency hearing, and improved hearing by 23% compared to natural regeneration.
A wider range of sounds for the deaf
Researchers have successfully implanted a tiny electrode array in the auditory nerve of cats, enabling them to hear a wide range of sounds. The device has several advantages over cochlear implants, including more precise activation of specific frequency signals and reduced electrical current requirements.
Repetitive exposure to an opinion can influence as much as exposure to opinions from several people
A recent study found that hearing the same opinion multiple times from one source can have a significant impact on perception, often leading to a false sense of popularity. Researchers examined how individuals estimate group norms and opinions, shedding light on cognitive processes that influence our decisions.
Lip-read me now, hear me better later
A study by UC Riverside researchers found that individuals who lip-read a speaker's face are better at identifying words in noisy sentences when they hear the same speaker again. This suggests that watching a person speak can create a familiar pattern of speech characteristics, making it easier to recognize and hear them later.
Global burden of childhood deafness overlooked
A recent analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBDS) and subsequent Global Burden of Disease Initiative (GBDI) reveals that childhood deafness is overlooked in disease control priorities. An estimated 718,000 infants worldwide suffer from permanent bilateral hearing impairment annually.
Addressing the neglect of childhood hearing impairment in developing countries
Newborn babies in poor countries are missing out on routine hearing tests, leading to irreversible deficits in speech and cognitive development. A policy paper calls for increased funding for neonatal hearing tests through public-private partnerships.
One membrane, many frequencies
New findings suggest that the tectorial membrane in the inner ear varies in rigidity along its length, allowing it to respond to different sound frequencies. This variation enables the distinction of sounds at various frequencies, potentially leading to improved hearing aid design.
Anti-epileptic drugs may help prevent and treat noise-induced hearing loss
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that two anti-epileptic drugs can significantly reduce permanent hearing loss in mice exposed to loud noises. The drugs, trimethadione and ethosuximide, work by inhibiting the movement of calcium ions into nerve cells, which play a role in causing damage to hair cells and nerve cells.
Making sense of the world through a cochlear implant
Researchers used MRI scans to simulate everyday experience of people with cochlear implants, finding the angular gyrus plays a key role in decoding distorted sentences. In noisy environments, other brain regions are engaged to help interpret predictable speech.
How campaign contributions improve policy analysis in Congressional committees
A new study finds that hard money contributions by interest groups create incentives for members of Congress to enhance their analytical capacity for policymaking. Members with high analytical capacity, known as 'work horses,' tend to attract contributions and focus on intellectual aspects of policies.
Sense and sensibility in short-term memory
A novel Brandeis University study confirms that sight and sound use similar neural mechanisms for encoding and retrieving short-term memories from both senses. The study found that the errors made in memory for sounds are the same types of errors made in memory for sight, suggesting a common brain process.
Scientists identify molecular cause for one form of deafness
Researchers have discovered that mutations in the espin protein can impair hearing by causing floppy bundles of protein filaments in hair cells. This structure change prevents the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain, leading to deafness. The findings offer a potential 'rescue' mechanism for this form of deafness.
How to avoid a bat
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered that Yellow Underwing moths change their ear sensitivity to bats' calls when being chased, and remain tuned for several minutes after. This phenomenon challenges current understanding of bat-moth co-evolution and has implications for other hearing systems in animals.
Can hockey playoffs harm your hearing?
Researchers found that fans without ear protection in Edmonton Oilers games received a daily allowable noise dose of over 8,100%, posing a significant risk to their hearing. The study highlights the importance of wearing protective gear during loud events like hockey playoffs.
Can the Stanley Cup playoffs harm your hearing?
Research reveals that even short exposure to loud noise during Stanley Cup games can be harmful, with fans receiving up to 81% of their daily noise dose without ear protection. Earplugs can mitigate this risk and help prevent hearing loss and tinnitus.
A stunning new look at déjà vu
A University of Leeds study reports a groundbreaking case of déjà vu in a blind individual, challenging traditional theories. The research suggests that déjà experiences are caused by disrupted familiarity areas in the brain, contradicting optical pathway delay theory.
Jefferson oncologists show less radiation just as effective in fighting brain tumor, saving hearing
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that lower doses of radiation are equally effective in treating acoustic schwannomas, a benign but potentially devastating brain tumor. This treatment approach may preserve more hearing and reduce the need for surgery.
Large subset of learning disabled children can be quickly identified by new diagnostic device
A new diagnostic device, BioMAP, can identify a third of children aged 8-12 with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. Children identified through BioMAP receive auditory training that improves their academic learning skills.