Articles tagged with Auditory Perception
A new study found that half of older adults with both hearing and vision impairment have serious cognitive decline, compared to 28% with only vision impairment. The study highlights the importance of considering sensory impairments in identifying those at risk for cognitive decline.
Scientists have discovered a master gene that programs ear hair cells into either outer or inner ones, enabling the development of these cells to restore hearing. This breakthrough could provide a previously unavailable tool to create specific hair cells and improve treatments for age-related hearing loss.
Researchers found that fruit bats use echolocation during the day despite having excellent vision, suggesting a combination of both senses for enhanced navigation. This study highlights the importance of integrating different senses, like humans using visual and auditory information when crossing streets.
A study by New York University researchers found that people perceive gender through speech, particularly when using binary terms like 'female' and 'male', which are more distinct from 'feminine' and 'masculine'. The study used a rating scale to assess listeners' perceptions of speakers' genders.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed an algorithm that generates whisper-quiet sounds to block smart devices from spying on users. The system works by predicting the characteristics of spoken language and generating a signal that can disrupt automatic speech recognition models.
A study found that listeners in Arkansas and Michigan imagined similar stories, while those in China envisioned unique narratives. The results suggest that music can generate shared experiences despite cultural differences.
Researchers developed an audio-tactile sensory substitution device (SSD) that converts sound frequencies to vibrations, significantly improving speech comprehension in noisy environments. The technology has shown promise in training hearing-impaired individuals to better understand speech.
Orb-weaver spiders have been found to use their massive webs as auditory arrays, capturing sounds and giving them advanced warning of prey or predators. The researchers used a special quiet room and placed a mini-speaker near the web, causing the spider to detect and respond.
The Rule of Two method uses multiple measurements to collect reliable data, overcoming the limitations of single sine sweep techniques. This new approach will make it easier and faster to design rooms with optimal acoustic combinations, leading to better sound quality in various spaces.
Researchers developed an automated auditory training program that enables marmoset monkeys to perform hearing tests in their familiar environment on a voluntary basis. The study demonstrates the animals' ability to abstract from learned sounds and suggests they are ideal model animals for hearing system research.
A new fabric developed by MIT engineers can detect subtle heartbeat features and the direction of sudden sounds, enabling real-time monitoring of vital signs. The fabric works like a microphone, converting sound vibrations into electrical signals.
A new study found that people's pronunciation of certain words changes after hearing a southern-accented talker, even if they didn't hear the actual sound. Participants who had never lived in the U.S. south still converged on a southern-like pronunciation, suggesting that expectations about accents shape our speech.
Researchers investigated whether COVID-19 led to a worsening of tinnitus symptoms, but found no significant difference in severity. Despite this, the pandemic can exacerbate anxiety and stress, potentially affecting individuals with tinnitus.
Researchers developed a machine learning model that provides good predictions for human speech recognition in noisy environments, benefiting hearing-impaired listeners. The model outperformed expectations and showed strong correlations with measured data.
Researchers found a brain region, dorsal precentral gyrus, monitors auditory feedback to produce smooth speech. Hearing one's own voice with unnatural delays leads to increased activity in this region and the superior temporal gyrus.
Studies using magnetic resonance imaging found a correlation between decreased blood flow in specific brain areas and tinnitus severity. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explored these links to better understand the causes of tinnitus.
Researchers found that Yin and Yang bats have unique inner ear structures that enable distinct styles of echolocation. This discovery provides the first anatomical evidence for these differences, confirming previous genetic findings.
Experts discovered a training method to prevent piano performance deterioration due to psychological stress. Pianists who underwent the training showed no performance disruption under pressure, indicating normalized auditory perception and motion integration.
The study found that the prevalence of serious hearing loss declined by 2.5% among older Americans between 2008 and 2017. Notably, females experienced a significant decline in serious hearing loss, with a 10% decrease in odds of serious hearing loss observed across all age cohorts.
Researchers at the University of Basel traced the neuronal fingerprint of sound processing in mouse brains, finding ten distinct activity patterns that depend on factors like attention, arousal, and reward. These findings suggest that even simple sound detection is a cognitive process that profoundly shapes brain activity.
A recent study published in iScience found that congenitally blind individuals and normal sighted people are equally good at discriminating between sounds. However, those who lost sight later in life had more difficulties with tasks requiring detailed auditory processing, suggesting an adaptation to the new condition.
A randomized controlled trial found that assistance dogs significantly improved wellbeing, mental health and independence for people with severe or profound hearing loss. Participants reported better mental well-being, fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduced social isolation.
Bats build prediction models of prey movement by analyzing echoes of their own vocalizations. This acoustic information facilitates navigation and foraging in total darkness. By integrating representations of prey echoes, bats can determine distance, size, shape, and density, as well as identify what they are tracking.
A study by Penn State University and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that electric vehicle sounds can improve pedestrian safety, but with some cases of false negatives at close ranges. Adding sound to electric vehicles increases detection distances beyond minimum safe detection ranges.
A recent study found that Black older Americans have significantly better hearing than their White counterparts, with a prevalence rate of 9.4% compared to 15.4% among Whites. The study suggests potential explanations for this difference, including diet and noise exposure.
A survey study found that wearing standard masks hinders nonverbal cues and emotional expression in healthcare workers. Transparent masks could help mitigate this issue during the COVID-19 pandemic by enhancing communication between patients and caregivers.
Researchers discovered that frequency-following responses to speech sounds are highly conserved across species, including monkeys, guinea pigs and humans. This finding could lead to the development of specific markers for speech impairments and improve clinical diagnostics.
A group of deaf and hard-of-hearing scientists argue that providing basic standards of support can increase diversity in fields of science and medicine. The authors propose five pillars to promote inclusion, including peer mentorship, captioning at conferences, and opportunities for leadership roles.
Researchers found that exposure to common loud sounds causes fluid buildup in the inner ear, leading to hearing difficulty. Treating this buildup with hypertonic saline may help prevent or reverse nerve damage and save hearing.
Researchers studied head tilting in dogs that could learn toy names and found a relationship between head tilts and processing relevant stimuli. Consistent side tilts were observed for each individual dog over time.
Researchers from Harvard University and Carnegie Mellon University found that matching the locations of faces with speech sounds significantly improves understanding of speech, especially in noisy areas. Spatial alignment is more important when background noise is louder.
Researchers found no difference between kids exposed to language at birth, regardless of sign or speech. Children with delayed language exposure tend to struggle with executive functioning. The study suggests that 'talking' doesn't just mean speech—sign language exposure is equally nourishing for baby brains.
A new study published in Current Biology reveals that visually impaired babies primarily use touch to respond to stimuli, while sighted babies rely more on auditory cues. The research suggests that both senses will be crucial in designing tools to aid their development.
Researchers found that bats with high hearing sensitivity to low frequency sounds are more sensitive to prey sounds, such as frog and katydid calls. This suggests that differences in hearing abilities may be a key factor in the diversity of bat species in tropical forests.
Researchers discover rattlesnakes' high-frequency rattle fools humans into thinking they're closer than they are, allowing for a 'distance safety margin'. The study suggests snakes evolved this smart signal to avoid being stepped on by large mammals.
A new portal, gEAR, enables researchers to easily utilize complex genetic data from sophisticated studies, advancing medical discoveries in hearing loss. The tool provides visualizations of datasets and allows inputting of own data for comparison, saving time and facilitating analysis.
Researchers found that age-related hearing impairment is associated with poorer physical functioning and reduced walking endurance in older adults. The study suggests that addressing hearing loss could be crucial in preserving physical function and quality of life in older individuals.
The current research highlights the risk of noise-induced hearing loss among children and young adults due to prolonged exposure to high volumes from personal audio systems. The need for public health hearing conservation policies and education on safe volume levels is emphasized by experts.
Researchers have created a system called PrivacyMic that uses ultrasonic sound frequencies to identify household and office activities, with greater than 95% accuracy. This technology enables smart home systems to recognize services needed without recording audible speech.
Researchers found that boat noise significantly reduces communication distance and coordination in duetting toadfish, impacting their mating habits. Human water traffic effectively drowns out their serenades.
Researchers at Aalto University developed a new audio technique that allows people to track bats in flight and localise sources of ultrasonic sound, enabling super-hearing. The device records ultrasound using microphones on a small sphere, pitch-shifts the signal, and plays it back through headphones.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital analyzed data from nearly 144,000 women and found a 40% higher risk of moderate or worse hearing loss in those with osteoporosis or low bone density. Bisphosphonates did not alter this risk, suggesting that other factors may contribute to the development of age-related hearing loss.
The study reveals that inner hair cells are stimulated by sound vibrations through a calcium-based mechanism, contradicting the long-held assumption that only outer hair cells interact with the tectorial membrane. This new understanding may lead to improved cochlear implants for treating hearing loss.
A new study found that the tiny desert-living dinosaur Shuvuuia had extraordinary vision and owl-like hearing for nocturnal life in the Mongolian desert. The team measured the size of the eyes and inner ears of over 100 bird and dinosaur species, revealing that Shuvuuia's lagena was almost identical in relative size to today's barn owl.
Researchers have developed an optical cochlear implant that uses light to stimulate auditory neurons, potentially improving frequency and intensity resolution. The new technology was tested on rodents and non-human primates, showing promise in enhancing speech comprehension.
A new study published in Neurology found that losing function in both senses may put individuals at greater risk of dementia and cognitive decline years later. Researchers analyzed data from 6,520 people between the ages of 58 and 101, finding that those with both hearing and vision impairments were twice as likely to develop dementia.
A new study found that increased dopamine in the brain's striatum triggers auditory hallucination-like experiences in mice, shedding light on a possible causal role for dopamine-dependent neurological circuits in psychosis. This breakthrough could inform novel targeted treatments for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
A new species of dinosaur, Llkalkan aliocranianus, was discovered with extreme powerful bites, very sharp teeth, and huge claws. Its unique skull structure suggests it may have had a better sense of hearing than other abelisaurids.
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed an experimental hearing implant that can register brain waves to measure hearing quality. This innovation enables smart hearing aids with objective, user-independent assessments and potentially automates self-adjustments.
A recent study found that bilingual infants have a strong preference for infant-directed speech in their native language, while monolinguals also respond more strongly. The research, involving hundreds of babies from around the world, suggests that language familiarity plays a key role in shaping infant language development.
A systematic review of research evidence has found a strong association between Covid-19 and auditory problems, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The prevalence rates were estimated to be 7.6%, 14.8%, and 7.2% respectively.
A small study presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting found that 17 out of 26 patients taking teprotumumab reported otologic symptoms, including subjective hearing loss and tinnitus. The authors recommend baseline audiogram testing to better understand this potential side effect.
A team of USC Stem Cell scientists has made a groundbreaking discovery about the regeneration of sensory hearing cells in fruit flies. They found that adult flies can produce new JO neurons, which compensate for damaged cells caused by chemotherapy drugs or other stimuli.
A national poll reveals that 80% of Americans over 50 haven't had their hearing checked by a professional in two years. Despite growing evidence about the importance of hearing, many older adults face barriers to timely care due to cost and stigma.
PhD candidate Rebecca Poulsen designed a speaker system to study brain networks and hearing in baby fish, finding they can hear high-frequency sounds. Whole-brain imaging revealed how larvae process different types of sounds, raising questions about their brain's interpretation.
Scientists at Uppsala University have created the first 3D map of the hearing nerve, tracing fine nerve threads and vibrating auditory organ to understand how frequencies are distributed. This new knowledge can lead to more effective cochlea implant treatments for the hearing-impaired.
Researchers found that sounds can change brain circuits in newborn mice, even before the ear canal opens, and may eventually help detect and intervene in abnormal wiring. The study's findings suggest that sensory experience can alter cortical circuits at a very young age, potentially leading to neurodevelopmental problems.
A dynamic and delicate connection between two pairs of protein filaments, called tip links, plays a central role in hearing. The tension held by these filaments is essential for the activation of sensory cells in the inner ear.
Research reveals microglia's essential role in refining auditory pathways, even when pruning is delayed. Without microglia, connections between neurons don't fully mature, leading to impaired hearing.
Researchers found that gifted dogs can rapidly learn novel words in social contexts but not in exclusion-based tasks. The study tested two exceptional dogs, Whisky and Vicky Nina, who learned new words after hearing them just four times.