Articles tagged with Auditory Perception
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.
A new study measures cumulative dosage over a patient's lifetime and finds that high exposure increases the risk of permanent hearing loss in cystic fibrosis patients. Researchers suggest alternative treatment strategies to mitigate this risk.
A two-step process has been developed to multiply stem cells found in the inner ear and convert them into hair cells, restoring partial hearing to mice. The researchers generated over 11,500 hair cells from a single mouse, offering hope for full hearing restoration in those with damaged hair cells.
Researchers discovered that disruption in Schwann cells, which make myelin, leads to hidden hearing loss. This finding may help diagnose and treat the condition, which affects individuals exposed to high levels of noise. The discovery could lead to new treatments for hidden hearing loss.
A series of studies published in Psychological Science found that listeners respond positively to familiar stories more than expected by speakers. The researchers attribute this to listeners' ability to fill in gaps in the speaker's story, making it more enjoyable to hear.
Composer Samuel Hertz has been announced as the winner of the inaugural £15,000 DARE Art Prize. He will spend the next year collaborating with researchers at the University of Leeds and Opera North staff to create a groundbreaking new work exploring the effects of infrasound on wellbeing and mood.
Researchers have successfully restored a high level of hearing in deaf mice using an improved gene therapy vector, which also improves balance function. The technology has the potential to benefit patients with Usher syndrome, who suffer from profound hearing loss and balance problems.
Scientists at Harvard Medical School have developed a new gene-delivery therapy that successfully restores partial hearing and balance in mice born with genetic hearing loss. The treatment uses a modified adeno-associated virus (AAV) wrapped in protective bubbles to penetrate hair cells, which are notoriously difficult to treat.
A new study by University of Utah researchers found that a state-wide screening program led to increased early identification of infants with hearing loss due to congenital CMV. The law also provided funds for educational campaigns, which is important given the virus's prevalence.
A new study reveals that dialect unfamiliarity and prejudice against AAVE and other non-standard dialects can lead to mishearing and misjudgment in courtrooms. The authors argue that vernacular varieties should matter more, and linguists can play a bigger role in explaining them.
Researchers found a decline in hearing loss prevalence among US adults aged 20 to 69 years, from 16% to 14%, between 1999-2004 and 2011-2012 periods. The study suggests that age-related hearing loss may be delayed until later in life.
Researchers at the University of Buffalo discovered that short-term hearing loss can cause auditory nerve cells to change their behavior and shape. The study found that these changes are related to neurotransmitters, with cells depleting their reserves and decreasing vesicle storage space when it's quiet.
A study published in PLOS Genetics identified two genetic variations linked to age-related hearing impairment, shedding light on the disorder's biological basis. The research used a large cohort of patients' electronic medical records and genome sequences to discover these genetic links.
Researchers found that older adults' brains degrade speech processing in quiet environments, making it harder to comprehend speech amidst background noise. The study suggests that brain training techniques may help improve speech comprehension in older adults.
Researchers discovered that jumping spiders can detect sounds at distances of over three meters, a finding that changes scientists' understanding of the world spiders live in. The spiders' hearing is most sensitive to frequencies associated with the wingbeats of parasitoid wasp enemies, prompting a startle response.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers have linked symptoms of difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments to evidence of cochlear synaptopathy in young adults. Regular use of hearing protection significantly improved test scores.
Researchers discovered that whales' ultrasonic hearing arose earlier than anticipated, with the ability to hear at high frequencies evolving about 27 million years ago. This finding suggests that traits associated with this ability predate the emergence of toothed whales.
A newly-named fossil whale species, Echovenator sandersi, had superior high-frequency hearing ability, helping scientists understand the evolution of this specialized sense. The study, published in Current Biology, pushes the origin of high frequency hearing in whales farther back in time.
Researchers discovered a cocktail of sea anemone proteins that can repair damaged mouse cochlear hair cells in as little as 8 minutes. The study suggests that these proteins could potentially be used to treat patients with acute hearing loss.
Researchers identified an inner ear deficiency in children with Autism that affects speech recognition. The non-invasive test measures otoacoustic emissions to detect cochlear impairment, correlating it with ASD symptom severity.
A new discovery has revealed that parts of the inner ear processing speech and music work differently than other areas. The study used optical coherence tomography to measure the inner ear's response to sound in an intact ear.
Research reveals that a fly species uses cicada sounds to locate hosts, attracting both females and males for potential mating. The study found that hearing may have originated as a means of finding a host but has become useful in another way.
A study is underway to understand why some children respond better to cochlear implants than others. Researchers are using measures of brain function to identify clinical interventions that could help children adapt to using the implants. The study involves recruiting children from 18 months to 8 years old who use cochlear implants, as...
A UBC study reveals that undiagnosed hearing loss in seniors aged 60-69 is associated with increased social isolation and cognitive declines equivalent to almost four years of chronological aging. The study found a 52% increase in odds of social isolation for every 10-decibel drop in hearing sensitivity.
Scientists propose a computational model explaining multisensory integration in humans, utilizing a Multisensory Correlation Detector. The brain detects similarity across visual and auditory signals to integrate stimuli, opening new clinical perspectives for neurological syndromes like Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dyslexia.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that almost all teenagers engage in risky listening habits, leading to persistent tinnitus and heightened sensitivity to loud sounds. The researchers warn of a major public health challenge as the prevalence of hearing damage is expected to increase.
Research finds that hearing problems impact older people's ability to communicate, move about, and participate in hobbies. Studies show that those with hearing issues have a limited life space and lower quality of life compared to those with good hearing.
A study from the University of Utah finds that older Americans with hearing loss have more trouble understanding British accents when there is background noise. The study also explores how transgender women can adopt a clearer speaking style to sound more feminine and how fast-talking affects speech intelligibility.
Researchers have discovered biomarkers in the brain that could help scientists develop effective treatments for single-sided deafness. The study used multi-modal imaging techniques to analyze changes in brain structure and function in response to the condition.
Research reveals half of farmed fish have hearing loss, which affects their survival in the wild, leading to compromised welfare standards. The study's findings suggest that deformed earbones are larger, lighter, and more brittle, resulting in significant hearing sensitivity loss.
A new study reports the first small molecule targeted therapy for progressive hearing loss in a mouse model of USH3, which causes devastating symptoms. The discovery holds promise for real-world translation and could prevent both sensory deficiencies in USH3 patients.
Hearing socially meaningful sounds can modify ear structure to better detect those sounds, improving hearing in green treefrogs. The study's findings have implications for elderly people with limited social interaction or prisoners in solitary confinement.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients are at risk of developing hearing impairment due to various factors such as synovial destruction and environmental exposures. Regular audiometric tests and TEOAEs can detect early stages of the disease, and treatment options include oral steroids and intensifying Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs.
A new UCLA psychology study suggests that the brain combines sound and vision using different mechanisms, which can influence how well people perform tasks. Researchers found that people's vision frequently influences their hearing when trying to identify specific locations of sounds and flashes of light.
Researchers found that bats exposed to prolonged loud noise showed minimal sensitivity loss, with only a slight decrease of 0.6 decibels over 24 hours. This natural resiliency may hold clues for developing devices or implants to help humans cope with loud noises.
Researchers created a visual speech recognition technology that can accurately translate lip movements into spoken words, even in noisy environments or when audio is unavailable. This technology has the potential to be applied in various situations, including criminal investigations and entertainment.
A study published in Global Ecology and Conservation reveals that giant pandas can detect sound into the ultrasonic range, potentially disrupting their reproductive success due to noise from human activities. The San Diego Zoo's contribution to this research has provided crucial insights into panda hearing sensitivity.
A longitudinal study of 150 deaf children will assess the impact of early language exposure on their visual attention and processing abilities. The research team hopes to determine whether early exposure to American Sign Language (ASL) enhances sequence processing in deaf students.
Researchers are focusing on the key hormone 'aldosterone' and developing unique sounds to treat age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Studies will investigate its effects on mice and humans, with goals of slowing or preventing ARHL progression through hormonal intervention and brain training.
A small clinical study using the anticancer drug bevacizumab has restored hearing in a handful of people with neurofibromatosis type 2, who previously suffered from progressive hearing loss. The treatment showed promise in reducing tumor size without affecting nerve function.
A study found that an antioxidant regimen of beta carotene, vitamins C and E, and magnesium helped slow progression of hereditary deafness in mice with a connexin 26 gene deletion. In contrast, the same regimen had no effect on another mutant mouse modeling AUNA1, a rare type of hearing loss.
A study found that 94% of older adults experience sensory loss, with hearing and vision being the most affected. Multisensory losses are linked to poor quality of life and increased mortality.
A $3 million grant will assess key differences in attitudes, knowledge and skills related to health information between deaf and hearing individuals. The project aims to understand mechanisms of visual learning as it relates to health information accessibility.
Researchers discovered a direct link between Wbp2 and progressive high-frequency hearing loss in mouse models and human clinical cases. The study found that Wbp2 expression loss leads to reduced hormone receptor expression and hearing impairment.
Researchers found that the adult brain's natural plasticity can compensate for a near-complete loss of auditory nerve fibers, restoring sensitivity to faint sounds but not complex sounds like speech. The brain's 'amplifier' at higher stages of processing acts as an amplifier, increasing sound detection abilities within normal limits.
Researchers created an audio platform that modifies voices to sound happier, sadder or more fearful, and found participants' emotional state changed accordingly. The study suggests people don't always control their own voice to match emotions, but listen to it to gauge feelings.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that marmosets use auditory cues similar to humans to distinguish between low and high notes, shedding light on our evolutionary history.
Vestibular schwannomas cause hearing loss by secreting toxic molecules like TNFa, which damages the inner ear. The study provides a new mechanism for sensorineural hearing loss in these tumors.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Toronto found that negative views on aging can negatively impact memory and hearing in older adults. The study suggests that education and training exercises can help improve cognitive and physical performance, dispel stereotypes about aging, and enhance overall quality of life.
A survey of 337 patients with hearing loss revealed three distinct strategies for disclosing their disability: basic disclosure, nondisclosure, and multipurpose disclosure. These strategies may empower patients to disclose their hearing loss and improve communication with others.
The top 10 research priorities for tackling mild to moderate hearing loss include addressing aspects of hearing aid provision, with the majority concerned with improving treatment outcomes. The list aims to re-focus future studies on areas with the greatest potential impact in furthering understanding and developing successful treatments.
A Chinese family with GJB2-associated hearing loss underwent an integrated reproductive strategy combining preimplantation genetic diagnosis and noninvasive prenatal testing. The approach resulted in a healthy baby, demonstrating its potential to prevent hereditary hearing loss globally.
Researchers identified pejvakin as a crucial molecule in the hearing system, and its absence is linked to noise-induced hearing loss. The study found that mice with inactivated pejvakin genes exhibited varying levels of hearing impairments, highlighting the importance of environmental factors in hearing damage.
Researchers found that children with mild to severe hearing loss have poorer language development than their peers, but provide well-fit hearing aids can help. Optimal early services enable hard of hearing children to catch up or close gaps with hearing peers.
Researchers found that babies with profound hearing loss who received cochlear implants soon babbled as often as their hearing peers, allowing them to catch up developmentally. Infants are actively engaged in their own developmental process and motivated by hearing their own sounds.
Researchers have created a high-resolution gene expression map of newborn mouse inner ear cells, providing insight into their development and differentiation. The findings may lead to the development of cell-based therapies for hearing loss and balance disorders.
A new study identified RFX transcription factors as key regulators of genes that help auditory hair cells grow. Researchers used mice with fluorescent markers to analyze gene expression and found that these proteins play a critical role in the development and survival of hair cells.
Researchers discovered two major types of cortical neurons providing separate mechanisms for stimulus-specific adaptation in the brain. This phenomenon helps the brain distinguish between expected and unexpected sounds, enhancing sensitivity to rare sounds. The findings provide new insights into the neural basis of key hearing phenomena.
Roy D. Patterson, a renowned auditory neuroscientist, has been awarded the Acoustical Society of America's Silver Medal in Psychological and Physiological Acoustics. He made significant contributions to understanding pitch and timbre perception, as well as computational modeling of auditory representations.
Researchers at the University of Montreal found that humans can recognize familiar voices with nearly 100% accuracy, even in noisy environments. This surpasses current automatic speech recognition systems, which struggle to reach 99.9% accuracy.