Articles tagged with Auditory Perception
Research shows that even mild-to-moderate hearing loss in young children can lead to changes in how their brains process sounds. Detecting these problems early is crucial to limit brain changes and improve language development.
Researchers from King's College London and UCL have identified 44 genes linked to age-related hearing loss, offering a clearer understanding of the condition's development. The study's findings may lead to new therapies for millions worldwide affected by hearing loss as they age.
Bats employ a range of hunting strategies, from echolocation in open spaces to listening for prey sounds in enclosed areas. They also utilize eavesdropping on prey communication and social interactions to locate prey and minimize search effort.
In a study published in eLife, researchers found that outer hair cells adjust the sensitivity of neighboring inner hair cells to sound levels rather than amplifying them. This discovery could lead to better interventions to protect hearing and develop new ways to prevent hearing loss.
A new study by Dr. Norman Lee and his team uses a performance index and treadmill system to measure how well flies respond to different cricket songs. The findings provide insights into the sensory basis of song recognition, signal discrimination, learning and memory in eavesdropping enemies.
Researchers from UNIGE found that harsh sounds between 40-80 Hz stimulate the brain's aversion networks, activating salience and pain centers. This explains why humans are drawn to these frequencies, which are also used in alarm systems.
A study by researchers from MIT and Max Planck Institute found that people living in a remote Bolivian rainforest tend not to perceive similarities between notes played at different registers, unlike Westerners. The brain's ability to detect pitch similarity appears to be acquired through exposure to music in octave-based systems.
A study by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid reveals that olfactory and auditory stimuli can alter our perception of body shape. Exposure to certain smells, like lemon, makes people feel thinner, while others, such as vanilla, make them feel heavier.
A unique Victorian databank that profiles children with hearing loss will help researchers globally understand why some children adapt and thrive, while others struggle. The study found that language development and speech in hearing-impaired children lags behind other children despite advancements in earlier detection and intervention.
Researchers find that opsin proteins and retinal enzymes have independent biological functions beyond vision, including hearing. This discovery challenges current understanding of eye evolution and highlights the importance of molecular components in multiple sensory pathways.
Research found that people with sensory impairments can expect fewer years of remaining life with limited physical function and ADLs. Those with both vision and hearing impairments had the greatest reduction in health expectancy, spending nearly one-third of their life with limitation in physical function.
Researchers at USF's Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research have developed a novel treatment for age-related hearing loss, combining aldosterone supplements with anti-inflammatory medications. The treatment has shown promising results in pre-clinical trials on mice, slowing down or preventing age-linked hearing impairment.
The updated guideline prioritizes early diagnosis, prompt intervention, and reduced unnecessary tests to improve patient outcomes. Enhanced emphasis on patient education and shared decision-making aims to optimize care for patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Researchers found that students who see objects first and then hear the name process inconsistent information better than those who hear the name first. This 'frequency boosting' ability helps learners identify and use the most frequent rule, leading to more consistent learning outcomes.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School developed a precise gene-editing tool to target the faulty Tmc1 gene in Beethoven mice, achieving an unprecedented level of accuracy. The treatment successfully preserved hearing in mice with hereditary deafness, paving the way for potential treatments of other dominantly inherited genetic diseases.
A new study analyzing participants from 35 countries found that near-death experiences (NDEs) affect around 10% of people, with common reported symptoms including out-of-body sensations and hallucinations. The study also found an association between NDEs and Rapid Eye Movement sleep intrusion into wakefulness.
Eleven-month-old infants can associate languages with ethnicities based on individual encounters, the study found. The researchers played Cantonese and English to infants of Caucasian ancestry, showing them faces of Asian and Caucasian individuals.
Researchers develop new assessment tools using implicit signs like eye movement, pupillary dilation, and brain activity to measure vocabulary knowledge in individuals with severe autism spectrum disorder. These tools show potential to be more accurate than traditional behavioral assessments.
Inflammation in the auditory cortex of mice with noise-induced hearing loss is associated with elevated proinflammatory cytokines and microglia activation, leading to tinnitus. Pharmacological blockade or depletion of these cells can prevent tinnitus in affected mice.
Researchers found that an anti-malarial drug called artemisinin can help sensory cells of the inner ear recognize and transport essential proteins to specialized membranes. This could lead to new therapeutic options for people with Usher syndrome, a common genetic cause of hearing loss.
A proof-of-concept study shows that a simple and inexpensive non-invasive device can improve speech understanding in hearing-impaired individuals and those with normal hearing. The device transforms low-frequency speech signals into tactile vibrations delivered on fingertips.
A team of scientists has identified two new genes, STRIP2 and ABLIM2, involved in the evolution of the inner ear in mammals. These findings highlight the promise of evolutionary studies to pinpoint novel key functional genes.
Researchers developed a system that automatically separates audio from different speakers in a crowded environment and compares these voices to the listener's brainwaves. This allows the voice of the speaker who is the center of the listener's attention to sound louder.
A CT scan of a 30-million-year-old fossil indicates that echolocation evolved independently in dolphins and other toothed whales. The discovery suggests that the evolution of echolocation may have occurred multiple times within this lineage.
A French researcher has developed a proof of concept for a smartphone-based shooter location system that uses acoustic analysis to track the origin of gunfire. The system, deployed in TCAPS hearing protection devices, analyzes the supersonic shock wave and muzzle wave generated by bullets to determine the shooter's direction.
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice found that about half of patients referred to a specialized schizophrenia clinic were misdiagnosed with schizophrenia. Anxiety and hearing voices were common reasons for incorrect diagnoses, highlighting the importance of second opinions from psychiatry specialists.
A large-scale study of mouse mutants identified 38 new genes involved in hearing loss, revealing molecular pathways and regulatory processes. The findings provide a rich source of therapeutic targets for restoring hearing and suggest therapies may need to be directed at common molecular pathways.
A large-scale screen of mouse mutants revealed 38 new genes involved in hearing loss, including those related to metabolic pathways and regulatory processes. These findings provide a rich source of therapeutic targets for the restoration of hearing.
A new study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that Massachusetts' parental consent law for abortion leads to significant delays in care, increasing medical risks and constraining clinical options. The law requires a judicial bypass hearing for minors seeking abortions without parental consent.
A recent study of 13,940 adults aged 65+ found that nearly half reported difficulty hearing, leading to lower levels of patient activation. Those with more severe hearing loss were at increased risk for poor outcomes and reduced patient involvement in care.
A national study reveals that young and middle-aged adults with hearing loss are twice as likely to misused prescription opioids and other substances compared to their hearing peers. Health care providers may need to take special care when treating pain and mental health conditions in deaf and hard-of-hearing patients.
The University of Minnesota is leading a $9.7 million NIH grant to develop an implantable device that can restore more natural hearing to people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. The new technology aims to bypass the cochlea and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, improving activation in noisy environments and music.
A comprehensive review of marine mammal noise exposure has yielded new policy recommendations for regulatory agencies worldwide. The panel's report provides guidelines to avoid harm and includes species-specific criteria for noise exposure, based on the latest scientific knowledge.
Scientists at Linköping University found that the tectorial membrane stores calcium ions, which regulate sensory cell function. Temporary hearing loss occurs when the membrane's calcium ion concentration drops, but returns to normal once it replenishes.
In a study published in Journal of Memory and Language, researchers found that people actively track the occurrence of 'uh' in spoken communication to predict upcoming low-frequency words. Participants adjusted their predictions when listening to atypical talkers, suggesting distributional learning of disfluency cues.
Scientists have successfully restored auditory synapse function and hearing thresholds to a near-normal level in adult mice with DFNB9 deafness. The breakthrough uses an AAV-based gene therapy approach that can be used to produce otoferlin and durably correct the profound deafness phenotype in mice.
A new study found that hearing impairment accelerates cognitive decline with age, but higher education reduces the impact of milder hearing losses. The researchers tracked 1,164 participants over 24 years and discovered that social engagement did not affect the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline.
Researchers at Cornell University found that mosquitoes can detect sound waves from distances of up to 10 meters, including human speech and the buzzing of female mosquitoes in flight. This discovery could lead to the development of more sensitive directional microphones and hearing aids.
Researchers at Binghamton University have found that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can use their antennae to detect sounds from surprisingly far away, with some frequencies important for human speech.
Researchers compared visual processing skills in hearing and deaf infants aged 7-22 months and found that deaf infants took longer to habituate to new objects and looked away less often. This highlights a difference in how the infants process information, even when it's not auditory in nature.
A study by Cristina Baus and Albert Costa found that listeners across languages can quickly assess a speaker's personality based on their voice. The researchers discovered that people form rapid impressions based on two main dimensions: valence (trustworthiness, warmth) and strength (dominance, aggressiveness).
A study published in Cognition found that children with ASD learn language at a continuous pace, influenced by cognitive abilities and parental input. The research highlights the active role children play in shaping their linguistic environment, leading to diverse language development outcomes.
Scientists at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University have discovered new genetic mutations associated with Usher syndrome, an inherited disorder that affects deaf-blindness. The study found unique mutations in DNA regions and confirmed diagnoses of type II USH in Russian patients.
A recent Baycrest study found that many older adults being evaluated for memory concerns had mild to severe hearing loss. Addressing hearing issues may mitigate or fix what appears to be a memory problem. Hearing loss is a common chronic condition affecting 50% of those over 65 and 90% of those over 80.
A gel-like structure in the inner ear moves according to a sound's frequency, allowing detection of faint sounds Researchers at MIT found that the size and arrangement of pores within the tectorial membrane make it highly selective, amplifying middle frequencies while reducing high and low tones
A study of 1,133 Medicare participants found that lower-income individuals with hearing aids face significant barriers to accessing hearing care services. Only 58% of high-income users received such services in the prior year, highlighting the need for expanded coverage and easier access.
Research suggests that auditory dysfunction can be a clue to monitor children for autism, and early detection can lead to optimized interventions. Hearing issues identified at birth may benefit both children with autism and those without, improving their quality of life.
A new study finds that hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of mortality before age 75 due to cardiovascular disease. Adults with a well-hearing partner experience diminished mortality risk, suggesting social support plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of hearing loss.
Researchers found significant problems in 7/112 children with eye abnormalities, 6/49 with hearing issues, and 11/94 with severe delays in language, motor skills, or cognitive function.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have created the first map of methylation that reflects the functioning of the inner ear, revealing critical genes for hearing development. The discovery may lead to new therapeutics by modifying epigenetic signals to allow regeneration of hair cells.
Researchers identified the Ikzf2 gene as a key regulator of special cells needed for hearing. Introducing a virus engineered to overexpress helios into inner ear hair cells transformed some mature inner hair cells into outer hair cells, exhibiting critical characteristics. This discovery may lead to therapies for age-related hearing loss.
Some moth species use sound-absorbing scales to evade bats' echolocation. The scales vibrate at resonant frequencies that overlap with bats' biosonar range, creating acoustic camouflage.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of York found that cultures' emphasis on specific sensory experiences, such as music or pottery, affects their ability to communicate about different senses. This challenges the long-held assumption of a universal hierarchy of human senses.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals how the inner ear processes speech sound and separates it from other sounds. This discovery may improve diagnostic procedures for various hearing impairments.
Cognitive decline was slowed after patients underwent cataract surgery and adopted hearing aids. The rate of decline was halved following cataract surgery and 75% less following the adoption of hearing aids, according to researchers at the University of Manchester.
Researchers analyzed 30 studies of nearly 5,300 participants to find that couples who frequently use first-person pronouns like 'we' and 'us' tend to have healthier and happier relationships. The study's findings support the idea that interdependence is key to relationship success, and 'we-talk' is a strong indicator of this.
Researchers are testing pinger systems to deter diving ducks from gill nets, a major threat to sea bird populations. The study aims to determine the optimal frequency for these devices, which could save hundreds of thousands of birds annually.
Experts discuss the connection between impaired vision, hearing, and cognition, highlighting the need to understand their inter-related processes and develop new tools to measure sensory and cognitive impairments. The report outlines important priorities for future scholarship and clinical practice to address these health concerns.
Researchers found that listening to a speaker repeat a belief increases its believability, especially for those with existing beliefs. However, hearing accurate information overrides myths for those on the fence. The study's findings have potential implications for policymakers seeking to correct misinformation in vulnerable communities.
A new study found that the brains of professional beatboxers and guitarists respond uniquely to their respective sounds, with increased activity in areas associated with movement and language. The research suggests that experience of producing music can shape brain responses and perception.