Articles tagged with Auditory Perception
A new approach to hearing assessment has been developed and validated, focusing on whether public safety professionals can perform 'hearing-critical' job tasks in specific noise environments. The method takes into account real-world noise environments and provides an objective means of occupational hearing screening.
Researchers used a rocket scanner to take the first whole-body CT scan of a minke whale, revealing insights on whale communication. The team modeled how whales hear low-frequency sounds using custom-developed computer simulation tools.
Researchers developed a new approach to deliver a drug directly to damaged nerves and cells in the inner ear, offering promising results for repairing hair cells and neurons. The study provides strong preliminary evidence for a potential remedy that could restore hearing for millions of elderly people.
Researchers have created a novel approach to restoring hearing by attaching bio-conjugated molecules to the cochlea, the shell-shaped ear bone. The molecules stimulate cell growth and connectivity in damaged inner ear cells, potentially treating hidden hearing loss and tinnitus.
A computer program called CLEESE enables researchers to visualize the mental representations of others' personalities according to acoustic qualities of their voices. The study found that a descending pitch with emphasis on the second syllable makes a hello sound sincere, while a rising pitch inspires trust.
Researchers found that visually-evoked auditory response (vEAR) is more common than other types of synaesthesia, affecting up to 21% of the population. The study suggests a connection between vEAR and physiological factors such as raised cortical excitability in the brain.
Rhiannon Edge, a young scientist from Lancaster University, has been chosen to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in June. The meeting aims to foster collaboration among world-leading researchers to improve public health through innovative health research.
A multi-disciplinary team will investigate the bush-cricket's ear and create 3D models to simulate its operation, producing theoretical circuitry for new acoustic sensors. This study aims to improve frequency analysis and sound capture in miniaturized devices.
Neuroscientists at KU Leuven developed an EEG-based method to objectively and automatically assess speech understanding. The technique, which uses 64 electrodes, can measure brainwaves while a person listens to a sentence and determine whether they have understood it.
A new special publication compiled by leading hearing experts highlights the latest research on drug-induced hearing loss. The study reveals that ototoxicity affects millions of people worldwide, particularly those age 75 or older, and emphasizes the need for better monitoring and detection of hearing loss over time.
Researchers have discovered that black jacobin hummingbirds produce vocalizations with an unusually high-frequency pitch, including components in the ultrasonic range. The findings suggest that these birds may rely on their unusual calls as a private channel of communication, given their diverse social environment.
A preliminary study has found an association between central hearing loss and mild cognitive impairment in some people. Researchers discovered that individuals with central hearing loss were twice as likely to have mild cognitive impairment compared to those without hearing loss.
A team of researchers from NYU Shanghai and NYU found that the 'loudness' of our thoughts affects how we judge external sounds. This is because imagery and perception activate the same auditory brain areas, leading to a decrease in sensitivity to actual loudness perception.
Scientists at Rockefeller University have identified a molecule called Daple that helps construct and align the sensory hair bundles in the inner ear. These bundles are crucial for detecting sound, motion, and spatial orientation.
Vocal songs serving similar functions tend to sound similar worldwide, regardless of cultural background. Listeners from diverse countries accurately inferred song functions based on brief musical excerpts.
Children with cochlear implants learn words faster than their hearing counterparts, thanks to earlier exposure to spoken language and better-developed brain structures. Researchers found that these children build up word pools at an accelerated rate.
A new study found that preterm babies experience delays in auditory brain development, which are associated with speech and language impairments at age 2. The researchers used diffusion neuroimaging to track the development of the primary and nonprimary auditory cortex in the brains of preterm infants.
Researchers developed a machine learning algorithm using MRI data to predict speech development in children with cochlear implants. The study found that neural preservation underlies improved speech in young CI recipients.
A new study by Rice University professor Xue Gao outlines a strategy using gene editing to slow the progression of genetic hearing disease. The research found that delivering RNA protein complexes into hair cells significantly increased hair cell survival rates and preserved hearing in rodents.
A recent study by Remy Wenmaekers reveals that physical measures have little effect in reducing sound levels due to instrument contribution. Earplugs are the only solution to help musicians reduce excessive sound levels, especially for trumpet and flute players.
A landmark study by Australian-Italian researchers shows that oscillations, or 'strobes', are a general feature of human perception. This discovery has profound implications for understanding human behavior and decision-making.
Researchers at Lund University found that large ears increase air resistance in bats, making flight less energy-efficient. However, they also provide better hearing and generate more lift, which is crucial for echolocation. The study suggests that evolution has made a compromise between flying efficiency and optimal echolocation ability.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have developed a gene therapy that can prevent the progression of hearing loss and preserve hearing in people with Usher syndrome type III, a form of hereditary hearing loss linked to defects in sensory hair cells.
Researchers developed a brain-training audiogame that improved elderly people's ability to understand words in noisy situations by 25%. The training was more effective than traditional hearing aids alone and showed lasting benefits.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified 52 previously unknown genes that play a crucial role in human hearing. The research used 'knock-out' mice to assess their hearing thresholds and found that these genes can lead to mild to severe hearing loss or difficulties at specific frequencies.
A new University of Michigan study reveals the NFL's transformation from a leader in avoiding concussion discussion to one that now leads the charge. The league has implemented significant changes, including creating expert-only committees and advocating for legislation, to address the issue, which had previously damaged its public image.
Researchers tested participants' hearing and speech abilities before and after extreme noise exposure to determine if it caused permanent damage. The study found temporary changes in some functional tests but no evidence of hidden hearing loss.
Research by University of Nottingham academics reveals common areas causing concern for both individuals with hearing loss and their loved ones, including communication difficulties, emotional strain, and social isolation. The study emphasizes the importance of involving partners and family members in rehabilitation plans to ease the p...
Researchers found that two species of pumpkin toadlets produce sounds outside their hearing range due to an undeveloped inner ear, indicating they are insensitive to the sound of their own calls. This finding suggests that these frogs may be evolving towards a loss of acoustic communication.
A recent study has found no evidence of auditory nerve injury or permanent hearing difficulties in young adults after attending a loud event. The research suggests that traditional hearing tests may not detect hidden hearing loss caused by recreational noise, highlighting the need for alternative testing methods.
New research reveals up to 40% of children with hearing loss have capacity for higher language levels, challenging current assessment methods. Therapists can recognize mismatches at young ages and intervene to bring children up to their ability.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur successfully restored hearing and balance in a mouse model of USH1G syndrome using gene therapy, offering new hope for the treatment of hereditary deafness. The study demonstrates that inner ear defects caused by mutations in the USH1G gene can be reversed even after birth with durable efficacy.
Two species of pumpkin toadlets have been found to be deaf to their own calls, a phenomenon that persists even after the target audience has lost the ability to detect it. This is due to the vestigial high-frequency hearing part in their ears, which may have been replaced by visual communication.
Scientists at Oregon State University developed a new assay to study the otoferlin protein, essential for hearing. They found a truncated version of otoferlin that can function in sound encoding and validated a method for characterizing large membrane proteins.
Researchers have identified a specific brain area involved in 'hearing voices' in schizophrenia and found that targeting it with high-frequency magnetic pulses can improve symptoms. In a controlled trial, 34.6% of patients showed significant response to treatment, while only 9.1% of controls did.
A new study reveals that frontline supervisors use micro-power strategies to cope with their middle-manager status, leading to inconsistent treatment of employees and supervisees. These strategies, used on a case-by-case basis, create a system that functions differently depending on location, potentially damaging morale.
A study published in Brain found that people who hear voices can detect disguised speech-like sounds more quickly and easily than non-voice-hearers. Voice-hearers' brains automatically responded to meaningful sounds in the regions linked to attention and monitoring skills.
Accelerated growth rates in farmed salmon are linked to a common inner ear deformity causing up to 50% hearing loss. Reducing growth rate can reduce the incidence of the deformity by three times.
Researchers found that northern elephant seal males use the memory of rhythmic patterns to identify rival calls, distinguishing between subtle changes in tempo and tone. This ability is crucial for their survival, allowing them to choose strategies in mating and territorial battles.
A new hearing test, developed by researchers at the University of Southampton, has been implemented to assess auditory fitness-for-duty among military personnel. The test, a speech-in-noise test, takes into account real-world scenarios and challenges faced by soldiers, providing a more accurate measure of their hearing abilities.
The Rochester Institute of Technology has been awarded a grant to develop a Scientists-In-Training Program for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Undergraduates. The program aims to increase the number of underrepresented students entering Ph.D. programs in biomedical sciences.
A new CU Boulder study found that children with hearing loss who receive interventions by 6 months develop a greater vocabulary than those diagnosed later. Nearly half of babies with hearing loss aren't meeting early detection guidelines.
A comprehensive global effort is needed to address the growing burden of hearing loss, with half a billion people affected worldwide. The proposal emphasizes increased access to screenings, treatments, and preventive measures, as well as low-cost interventions using smartphones and telemedicine.
A survey of 423 academics, students, postdoctoral researchers, and administrators found that 39% reported verbal harassment and 9% suffered physical harassment. Women, particularly minority women, were most likely to experience racist and sexist remarks.
Researchers found that three of the OTC devices offered improvements in speech understanding comparable to a conventional hearing aid. However, one device demonstrated little improvement and another had worse results. The study's findings support efforts to make hearing aids more accessible through over-the-counter sales.
Researchers have identified a crucial protein, CIB2, essential for sound wave conversion into brain signals in the inner ear. The study reveals how this protein facilitates mechanotransduction, enabling people to interpret sounds.
Researchers found that extinct early whales had hearing similar to terrestrial animals, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery suggests a more complex evolutionary history for whales, with hearing specialization emerging later.
A recent study found that learning to play an instrument alters brain waves, improving listening and hearing skills in older adults. The study demonstrates the brain's ability to rewire itself and compensate for injuries or diseases.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have found that cormorants can detect sounds under water, which may help protect these birds from man-made noise pollution. This new ability is comparable to that of seals and whales, and could also benefit other aquatic bird species.
A University of Maryland expert has diagnosed Francisco Goya with a rare autoimmune syndrome or syphilis after suffering from severe illness and hearing loss in 1793. She notes that Goya's condition would have been treatable today.
A new report from social psychologists at the University of Illinois Chicago reveals that people on both sides of the political aisle are motivated to dismiss opposing ideas and information. Approximately two-thirds of respondents declined a chance to win extra money to avoid reading statements that didn't support their position.
A review of medical literature by NYU researchers found that only 23.9% of studies on doctor-patient communication mentioned hearing loss, highlighting a significant gap in understanding its impact on care. The study suggests that simple strategies can mitigate the negative effects of hearing loss on patient communication.
Researchers found that a protein called Forkhead Box O3 (Foxo3) protects outer hair cells from damage, allowing some individuals to recover from noise-induced hearing loss. The study could provide new hope for preventing or treating hearing impairment.
Research shows complex partnership between ear and brain can compensate for significant inner ear damage, leading to normal audiogram but difficulty hearing in certain situations. The study highlights the need for more challenging behavioral tests to diagnose patients with 'hidden hearing loss'.
Case Western Reserve University researcher Martin Basch has been awarded a $300,000 Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Award to study cell therapies for treating congenital strial deafness. The goal is to restore hearing in children affected by this condition.
A recent review of published research found that hearing their mother's voice can benefit the health of preterm infants. The study linked maternal voice exposure to physiological and behavioral stabilization, including fewer cardiorespiratory events.
Researchers found that certain 'super-readers' with reorganized brain circuits perform better in tasks involving written words, while others with intact auditory-visual integration achieve more accurate results. This study highlights the crucial role of brain interactions in cochlear implant success.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that restored balance and hearing in genetically modified mice with Usher Syndrome. The study's positive results suggest potential for treating various inherited vestibular and hearing disorders in humans.
A recent study published in The Laryngoscope found that substantial noise exposures occur in occupational and recreational settings, with only a small percentage of those exposed wearing recommended hearing protection. Firearms use is a significant contributor to noise exposure, with only 58% of gun owners using hearing protection.
A placebo-controlled trial shows that both audiology best practices and OTC models improve outcomes for older adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The study's findings have implications for better hearing healthcare for millions of Americans.