Hearing Research最新文献

{"title":"Circadian control of the peripheral vestibular organs in rodents and humans","authors":"Evangelia Tserga ,&nbsp;Ivan A. Lopez ,&nbsp;Barbara Canlon","doi":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109572","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109572","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Circadian rhythms are fundamental for maintaining physiological homeostasis, influencing processes such as sleep-wake cycles, metabolism, and hormonal regulation. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the primary pacemaker in the brain, is necessary to maintain behavioral circadian rhythms and to synchronize peripheral clocks throughout the body in mammals. The vestibular system, responsible for balance and spatial orientation, has been implicated in circadian regulation, yet its intrinsic clock machinery remains unexplored. Previous studies suggest vestibular input influences circadian rhythms, as evidenced by altered locomotor activity and temperature control in animals with vestibular dysfunction. Additionally, vestibular disorders in humans display time-dependent patterns, further supporting a vestibular-circadian interaction. Our study investigates the presence of an autonomous circadian clock in the peripheral vestibular organs (semicircular canals SCC, saccule, utricle and vestibular ganglia) by assessing core clock gene and protein expression in vestibular structures of mice and humans. Using PERIOD2::LUCIFERASE (PER2::LUC) bioluminescence assays from mouse tissues, we observed self-sustained oscillations in SCC, saccule, and utricle, with differential amplitudes and phase relationships. RNA scope (<em>Bmal1</em>) confirmed the rhythmic expression in the peripheral vestibular organ from mice, corroborating their functional circadian regulation. Furthermore, we explored the impact of cisplatin, a chemotherapeutic agent, on vestibular clock rhythms. Cisplatin administration disrupts PER2 oscillations in vestibular explants in a time-dependent manner, mirroring the cochlear findings where the day or night timing of drug delivery modulates drug response. Our findings provide the first direct evidence of a clock within the peripheral vestibular organ of rodents and humans, highlighting its potential role in modulating vestibular function and responses to pharmacological interventions. These findings suggest that vestibular disorders may follow a daily pattern, which could help explain why symptoms worsen or improve at different times of the day. This could lead to better treatment strategies for millions of people affected by vestibular dysfunction. Demonstrating that the chemotherapy drug cisplatin disrupts vestibular rhythms in a time-dependent manner, suggests that administering drugs at the right time of day could minimize side effects like dizziness and nausea while maximizing effectiveness. These results underscore the importance of considering circadian timing in vestibular research and therapeutic strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12881,"journal":{"name":"Hearing Research","volume":"473 ","pages":"Article 109572"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toward individualized cochlear implant programming: Relating electrophysiological and psychophysical indicators of tonotopic region performance","authors":"Marlies Geys ,&nbsp;Leanne Sijgers ,&nbsp;Timona Leandra Oesch ,&nbsp;Patrick Boyle ,&nbsp;Josef Chalupper ,&nbsp;Alexander Huber ,&nbsp;Flurin Pfiffner","doi":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109571","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109571","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study compared outcomes of two electrophysiological measures, electrocochleography (ECochG) and panoramic electrically-evoked compound action potential (PECAP), and two psychophysical measures, temporal and electrode discrimination test (TED) and spectrotemporal two-octave bandpass modulation test (STM), in cochlear implant (CI) listeners. The aim was to investigate whether tonotopic regions showing poorer performance on the acoustic STM test also exhibit reduced peripheral integrity (ECochG and PECAP) or diminished modulation encoding abilities at the electrode level (TED). Twenty-seven Advanced Bionics CI candidates were prospectively enrolled prior to CI surgery. ECochG and PECAP recordings were obtained from all intracochlear electrodes intraoperatively and three months post-implantation, respectively. TED was measured via direct electrode stimulation six months post-implantation, and the STM test was conducted with CI-processed acoustic stimulation one year after surgery. All measures were obtained or averaged across four tonotopic regions. After adjusting for region-specific CI-processing differences, linear mixed model analyses showed significantly poorer STM performance in the worst-performing region compared with the other three regions (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). TED values were also significantly worse in this region (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01), whereas ECochG and PECAP values did not differ significantly between the worst region on the STM test and the remaining regions. These findings demonstrate that while electrophysiological and psychophysical measures each provide valuable, spatially specific information, they capture distinct physiological and perceptual aspects of auditory processing. This highlights the need to investigating which measure, or combination of measures, can best guide individualized CI programming adjustments by identifying suboptimal performing tonotopic regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12881,"journal":{"name":"Hearing Research","volume":"473 ","pages":"Article 109571"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility study on noise attenuation and stability of active noise cancelling headphones for mobile hearing screening","authors":"Yuseon Byun ,&nbsp;Chanbeom Kwak ,&nbsp;Jihyeon Lee ,&nbsp;Wan-Ho Cho ,&nbsp;Tae Hoon Kong","doi":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109569","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109569","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluatesthe feasibility of active noise cancellation (ANC) headphones as transducers for mobile pure-tone audiometry (PTA) by assessing background noise attenuation and stimulus output stability under international standards. An experimental study was conducted using two commercially available ANC headphone models. Three experiments were conducted. Experiment I measured the background ambient noise attenuation compared with the International Standard Organization (ISO) 8253-1 standards; Experiment II evaluated ANC performance under background white and pure-tone noise across 10 audiometric frequencies (125 Hz–8000 Hz); Experiment III assessed the stability of the pure-tone output under steady (fixed at 70 dB) and dynamic (gradually increasing to 70 dB) background noise conditions using a head-and-torso simulator and calibrated measurement systems. With ANC activated, both headphone models effectively reduced ambient noise to within ISO-permissible levels, especially at frequencies &lt;1000 Hz. The ANC function reduced the background white and pure-tone noise by up to 20 dB, with a greater reduction at low frequencies. The pure-tone output under steady white noise conditions remained stable (&lt;1 dB SPL deviation), whereas fluctuations were observed under steady pure-tone noise, particularly at approximately 1500 Hz (up to 12 dB). Dynamic background white noise conditions showed a stable output (&lt;5 dB fluctuation), whereas dynamic pure-tone noise conditions caused instability owing to the feedback interactions. Commercial ANC headphones demonstrated technical feasibility for mobile PTA, met the international ambient noise criteria particularly at low frequencies (&lt;1000 Hz), and maintained a stable stimulus output under most tested conditions. Further validation in real-world complex noise environments is needed before self-administered hearing screening can be used clinically.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12881,"journal":{"name":"Hearing Research","volume":"473 ","pages":"Article 109569"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of coupler tip size on round window stimulation with the floating mass transducer under controlled preload","authors":"Houguang Liu ,&nbsp;Mohammad Ghoncheh ,&nbsp;Daniel Schurzig ,&nbsp;Thomas Lenarz ,&nbsp;Nils Prenzler ,&nbsp;Hannes Maier","doi":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109565","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109565","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Mechanical stimulation of the cochlear round window (RW) extends the indication of active middle-ear implants to mixed and conductive hearing loss, yet outcomes vary considerably due to transducer–RW size mismatch and uncontrolled preload. The Hannover Coupler version 2 (HC2) addresses these issues with a small tip and a force indicator. This study further evaluates the effect of HC2 tip size on RW stimulation efficiency under controlled preload force.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Stapes displacements were measured in six human temporal bones using laser Doppler vibrometry during acoustic and RW stimulation. The RW was stimulated by a floating mass transducer (FMT) with three HC2 tip diameters: small (0.5 mm), medium (0.7 mm), and large (1.0 mm). RW preload ranged from 4 to 60 mN.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The large HC2 tip produced the highest transfer function magnitude and average equivalent sound pressure level across speech-relevant frequencies (0.5–4 kHz), peaking at a preload of 30 mN—approximately 11 dB higher than the small tip. Differences between large and small tips were significant at nearly all preload, whereas medium and small tips showed no significant differences. Optimal preload for FMT depended on coupler tip size: 15 mN (small), 25 mN (medium), and 30 mN (large).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>RW stimulation efficiency increases with HC2 tip size. The large tip provides the highest output and lowest RW membrane stress, reducing penetration risk. FMT stimulation with different HC2 tip sizes has distinct optimal preload. These findings support the use of a larger HC2 tip to improve clinical outcomes in RW stimulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12881,"journal":{"name":"Hearing Research","volume":"473 ","pages":"Article 109565"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146179151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Berberrubine protects against noise-induced cochlear damage and hearing loss by inhibiting the p38 MAPK signaling pathway","authors":"Hanbo Seng ,&nbsp;Guodong Hong ,&nbsp;Le Wang ,&nbsp;Yunhao Wu ,&nbsp;Peipei Li ,&nbsp;Tiancheng Zhang ,&nbsp;Yuan Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiaolong Fu ,&nbsp;Fanglei Ye","doi":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109563","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109563","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cochlear hair cells are critical sensory receptors for auditory function, and exposure to high-intensity noise can lead to irreversible hearing loss. However, the mechanisms underlying noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are poorly understood, and effective therapeutic strategies have yet to be developed. In this study, berberrubine (BB) was found to protect HEI-OC1 cells and hair cells of cochlear explants from hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced damage. Furthermore, BB pretreatment protected against cochlear damage and preserved hearing in a mouse model of NIHL. Structural analysis using hematoxylin–eosin and immunofluorescence staining showed that BB pretreatment effectively protected structures such as the ribbon synapses of hair cells and the stria vascularis. In addition, BB pretreatment significantly reduced 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels in the cochlear hair cells following noise exposure. RNA-sequencing analyses revealed that the protective effect of BB against NIHL involved the downregulation of <em>Traf2</em> and <em>Traf6</em> in the MAPK signaling pathway, leading to reduced p38 phosphorylation and accumulation of the downstream stress biomarker Chop. This reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inflammation in the cochlea of mice following noise exposure, thereby alleviating NIHL-related cochlear damage and protecting hearing function. In summary, our findings indicate that BB is an effective agent against NIHL, acting through regulation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway to reduce ROS generation and inflammation in the cochlea, which may represent a novel preventive strategy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12881,"journal":{"name":"Hearing Research","volume":"472 ","pages":"Article 109563"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146137561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations of standard and extended high-frequency thresholds with suprathreshold auditory brainstem response morphology in normal-hearing adults","authors":"İrem Sendesen ,&nbsp;Büşra Kaynakoğlu ,&nbsp;Eser Sendesen","doi":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109564","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109564","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) is essential for assessing neural integrity, yet the influence of subclinical extended high-frequency (EHF) deficits on waveform morphology remains insufficiently characterized. This cross-sectional study evaluated the distinct predictive utility of Global Standard Averages (0.125–8 kHz) versus EHF thresholds (9–20 kHz) for ABR latencies and amplitudes in 89 otologically healthy adults. While all but one participants exhibited clinically normal hearing thresholds (≤20 dB HL) across standard frequencies, multiple linear regression analyses were employed to identify independent predictors of neural synchrony and transmission timing, controlling for age and sex. Results indicated a functional dissociation between peripheral magnitude and central timing predictors. Even after adjustment for covariates, EHF averages remained a significant independent predictor of Wave I amplitude (β = -0.28, p = .015), underscoring the critical link between basal cochlear status and distal neural synchrony. Conversely, Wave V latency was primarily predicted by biological sex (β = -0.30, p = .006) and standard high-frequency sensitivity (4–8 kHz) rather than ultra-high frequencies. Additionally, analyses of the Wave V/I amplitude ratio did not demonstrate expected age-related central gain, likely due to the cohort's preserved peripheral integrity. Collectively, these findings suggest that EHF sensitivity serves as a superior marker for distal auditory nerve integrity compared to standard measures. Consequently, incorporating EHF audiometry into diagnostic protocols offers enhanced sensitivity for detecting subclinical cochlear deficits that evade capture by standard audiometric batteries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12881,"journal":{"name":"Hearing Research","volume":"473 ","pages":"Article 109564"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146147645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating sound-induced motion in the human cochlear hook region","authors":"Lore Kerkhofs ,&nbsp;Tristan Putzeys ,&nbsp;Elke Loos ,&nbsp;Carmen Bartic ,&nbsp;Nicolas Verhaert","doi":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109562","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109562","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the mechanical behaviour of the human cochlea remains a major challenge in auditory science. While most cochlear models focus on the basilar membrane (BM) and Organ of Corti, recent studies suggest that neighbouring structures, such as the osseous spiral lamina (OSL), cochlear partition bridge (CPB), and secondary spiral lamina (SSL), may also contribute to intracochlear motion. Here, we used spectral-domain optical coherence tomography vibrometry to characterize sound-induced motion across multiple cochlear structures in eight fresh (&lt;24 h post-mortem) human temporal bones. Measurements were performed through the round window membrane, allowing minimally invasive access to the cochlear hook region. Frequency-dependent motion responses were quantified for acoustic stimulation between 0.5 and 5 kHz, a range relevant for speech perception. Linear mixed models (LMM) were used to assess velocity and phase across cochlear partition structures. The results show that at low frequencies (&lt;1.5 kHz), OSL and SSL motion amplitudes matched or exceeded those of the BM, while phase differences between structures along the cochlear partition were more apparent. As frequency increased, motion became more localized to the CPB–BM junction and phase gradients along the cochlear partition flattened, indicating more uniform radial motion. However, at mid-frequency, the LMM showed the largest phase difference was apparent at the OSL. These findings suggest structure-specific mechanical functions for each structure, with the OSL and SSL potentially contributing to low-frequency filtering or damping. These results emphasize the need for investigating the cochlear partition mechanics beyond the basilar membrane.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12881,"journal":{"name":"Hearing Research","volume":"473 ","pages":"Article 109562"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pressure-induced ossicular alterations in the oim mouse model of brittle bone disease do not cause hearing loss","authors":"Maialen Ugarteburu ,&nbsp;Luis Cardoso ,&nbsp;Christoph Rau ,&nbsp;Claus-Peter Richter ,&nbsp;Alessandra Carriero","doi":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109561","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109561","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The middle ear endures significant pressure variations during activities such as flying or diving, which can cause large displacements of the tympanic membrane and ossicles. While the middle ear of the general population usually withstands such displacements without impairing hearing function, little is known about the effects of sudden pressure changes in the middle ears of populations with connective tissue disorders, like osteogenesis imperfecta (OI or <em>brittle bone disease</em>). Similar to OI long bones, which fracture under minimal impact, we hypothesized that a sudden pressure change in the OI ear canal alters the ossicular chain integrity and impairs hearing function. Using the B6C3Fe a/a-Col1a1<em>^oim^/oim</em> (<em>oim/oim</em>) mouse model of severe OI, this study determines the impact of sudden pressure changes in the ear canal on hearing function by testing auditory brainstem response (ABR) and verifying ossicular structural integrity using synchrotron microtomography. No differences in baseline thresholds were observed between <em>oim/oim</em> mice and wild-type (WT) controls, as well as no changes in hearing function after pressure exposure, measured as (i) the change in the neural response amplitude at the highest sound level (ΔRMS_{90dB SPL}), (ii) the change in ABR threshold (ΔThreshold), and (iii) the change in latency of the first positive peak of the neural response at the highest sound level (ΔLatency_{90dB SPL}). However, post-pressure, the middle ear ossicles of <em>oim/oim</em> mice showed twice the incidence of incudomalleal joint abnormalities compared to healthy WT ears (27% vs. 13%), with incudomalleal joint narrowing, fractures, and particularly fusions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12881,"journal":{"name":"Hearing Research","volume":"473 ","pages":"Article 109561"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Circuit architecture and axonal branching in the efferent auditory system","authors":"Brett R. Schofield","doi":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109553","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109553","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The auditory efferent system has been implicated in nearly all aspects of hearing, including adaptations to aging and response to damage or disease. The system encompasses a collection of descending neural pathways that are widespread, supporting modulation of auditory processing from the cochlea to the cortex. To understand efferent function at a cellular and circuit level, it is necessary to determine which of the inputs to a region contact which of the various output pathways. For both inputs and the outputs, the presence or absence of axonal branching has important implications for how these circuits function. Lack of branching can allow projections to two targets to be modulated independently. The presence of branching can allow for efficient delivery of information and coordinated neuronal processing in multiple targets. The present review considers the merits of several methods that have been used to assess branching. These methods reveal that axonal branching is prominent in some efferent pathways and minimal or absent in others.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12881,"journal":{"name":"Hearing Research","volume":"472 ","pages":"Article 109553"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146118694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Auditory radiations: Evidence for dorsal and ventral branches","authors":"Oren Poliva ,&nbsp;Yuanxin Liu ,&nbsp;Robert D. Rafal","doi":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109551","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.heares.2026.109551","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><strong>Background</strong>: The acoustic radiations connect the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN) of the thalamus with the auditory cortex in Heschl’s gyrus (HG). Classic histological dissections described a trajectory that courses through the optic radiations and beneath the posterior insula <em>en route</em> to HG. More recent histological work, however, along with probabilistic tractography, has reported a curved pathway composed of a genu, stem, and fan that is inconsistent with the classically described topography. Thus, the precise course of the acoustic radiations is not settled, motivating renewed anatomical characterization.</div><div><strong>Methods</strong>: In nineteen healthy adults, we used probabilistic diffusion tractography to visualize streamlines connecting the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN) with the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) bordering the ascending ramus of the lateral fissure. We compared these streamlines with the acoustic and optic radiations as defined in the XTRACT white matter atlas. We then qualitatively re-evaluated published neuroimaging figures from eight patients with severe auditory agnosia or cortical deafness caused by bilateral subcortical white matter lesions and overlaid the reported lesion locations onto the tractography-derived pathways.</div><div><strong>Results</strong>: In contrast to a ventral acoustic radiation (vAR) that courses through the optic radiations and beneath the insula, our tractography analysis revealed a dorsal bundle that we term the dorsal acoustic radiations (dAR). The dAR comprises two components that initially travel together: <em>an ansa acoustica</em> (AA) projecting from ventral MGN to Heschl’s gyrus (HG), and a projection from magnocellular MGN to the supramarginal gyrus (SMG). Both components arch dorsally over the optic radiations before diverging. In all eight historical cases, bilateral lesions overlapped one or both components of the dAR while visual fields were preserved, suggesting relative sparing of the optic radiations and the vAR.</div><div><strong>Conclusions</strong>: These findings support a model in which the human acoustic radiations comprise at least two neuroanatomically distinct components: an earlier-developing ventral branch (vAR) arising from ventral MGN that courses beneath the insula, and a later-developing dorsal branch (dAR) that includes the AA traveling from ventral MGN to Heschl’s gyrus (HG) as well as a second pathway traveling from magnocellular MGN to the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) and neighboring auditory-responsive cortices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12881,"journal":{"name":"Hearing Research","volume":"472 ","pages":"Article 109551"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146142312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}