Trends in Hearing最新文献

Previous research has highlighted challenges for individuals with hearing loss, including increased listening effort and fatigue. This study aimed to: (a) examine the relationship between auditory demand and listening effort, affect, and fatigue, focusing on the moderating role of hearing loss; and (b) assess whether listening effort and affect mediate the effect of auditory demand on fatigue. A total of 130 participants, with and without hearing loss, participated in EMA over 5.5 days, answering questions on listening effort, fatigue, and listening environment attributes. Auditory demand was defined by contextual and subjective components derived from EMA responses. LME models analyzed the effect of auditory demand on listening effort, affect, fatigue and the moderating role of hearing loss. Additional models tested mediation by listening effort and affect. Results: highlighted that both contextual and subjective auditory demand significantly increased listening effort with stronger effects in those with more hearing loss. No effects of contextual auditory demand on affective state were observed, nor was there a moderation effect of hearing loss. An effect of subjective auditory demand on affect was observed, but no moderation of hearing loss was present. Contextual and subjective auditory demand predicted fatigue (β = 0.07-0.14, p < .01-p < .001) with amplified effects present in those with more hearing loss (p_interaction < .01) for contextual demand. Mediation analyses highlighted that listening effort contributed to the demand-fatigue relationship, though patterns differed by demand type. The results indicate that increased listening effort, rather than negative affect, may underlie the association between auditory demand and fatigue.

The neural processing of interaural time and level differences (ITDs/ILDs) underlies binaural sound localization. Neurons of the mammalian lateral superior olive (LSO) are sensitive to ILDs and envelope-ITDs of acoustic stimuli. Bushy cells in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus convey relevant information from auditory nerve (AN) fibers to the LSO. More specifically, spherical bushy cells (SBCs) send ipsilateral excitatory inputs, while globular bushy cells (GBCs) project to the contralateral medial nucleus of the trapezoid body that provides inhibitory inputs to the LSO. Previous studies in vivo reported an enhancement of phase-locking in bushy cells compared to AN. This enhancement has been hypothesized to benefit temporal coding in binaural neurons, but its actual contribution in LSO remains unclear. Here we investigate this question by computational modeling of binaural circuity incorporating the AN, SBC/GBC, and LSO stages. Both bushy cell models were calibrated to replicate known physiological responses, including the representative peristimulus time histograms for high-frequency tones and enhanced phase-locking to low-frequency envelopes. We then simulated the binaural tuning of LSO with and without the bushy cell stage. The synaptic inputs to the LSO model were adjusted so that the simulated ILD-tuning remains unaltered between the input configurations. By adding the bushy cell stage, the simulated binaural response of LSO became more sharply tuned for envelope-ITDs. Furthermore, the envelope-ITD sensitivity was extended up to around 600 Hz, matching previously observed physiological limits. These results provide computational evidence for the functional benefit of having bushy cells in the binaural sound localization circuit.

Hearing aids, which are primarily designed to improve the intelligibility of speech, can negatively affect the perception and enjoyment of music. This large-scale survey study, conducted between 2016 and 2018, explored hearing aid use and preference behavior in both recorded and live music listening settings, aiming to understand the challenges and strategies used by listeners to improve their experiences, and how these may be affected by level of hearing loss (HL). One thousand five hundred and seven hearing aid users (mean age = 60 years) completed an online survey about their music listening behavior and use of hearing aids. Results showed that whilst hearing aids support engagement in music listening, they also present many issues and overall helpfulness is mixed. The most commonly reported issue was distortion and poor sound quality, particularly in loud or live contexts. The most frequently reported strategy for reducing distortion was to remove hearing aids altogether. Only a third of the sample reported using a music program and effectiveness was mixed, suggesting that manufacturer music programs do not currently provide significant benefits for music listening, and further research into the use, uptake and efficacy of music programs is needed. We call for further research into signal processing strategies for music especially for high sound levels such as live music or concert settings. The positive impact of mindsets supporting proactive behaviors, perseverance, adaptation, and experimentation with different technologies, genres, and listening environments was highlighted, strengthening the evidence base for audiologists to provide music listening guidance in the clinic.

Spectro-temporal modulation (STM) sensitivity has been proposed as a sensitive marker of speech intelligibility in challenging listening conditions, yet the underlying auditory mechanisms involved in STM detection remain incompletely understood. The present study measured STM detection thresholds in young normal-hearing and older hearing-impaired listeners and evaluated whether the revised Computational Auditory Signal Processing and Perception model (CASP) can account for individual performance. Thresholds were obtained for six modulation detection conditions, defined by combinations of spectral (0, 1, and 2 c/o) and temporal (4 and 12 Hz) rates. To individualize CASP, outer and inner hair cell loss estimates were obtained from audiometric and Adaptive Categorical Loudness Scaling (ACALOS) data. The results showed systematically elevated thresholds in older hearing-impaired listeners as compared to the young normal-hearing group, particularly at higher spectral rates. The model simulations reproduced overall threshold patterns, but substantially underestimated group differences and interindividual variability in the data. Moreover, the simulations showed limited sensitivity to estimates of outer and inner hair cell loss, supporting the idea that additional supra-threshold mechanisms contribute to STM deficits. While these findings demonstrate the potential of auditory models to predict STM performance, they also highlight the need for refined representations of peripheral and central processing to account for individual STM detection thresholds.

In open-fit hearing aids (HAs), the interaction between the direct and processed sound leads to comb-filtering and, thus, perceived coloration effects. The magnitude of these effects depends on the level difference between the direct and processed sound and on the processing delay. A critical issue for HA uptake and use is own-voice perception, which the current study focused on. Its aims were to investigate (1) whether short processing delay is preferred over longer delays, (2) how processing delay influences different perceptual dimensions related to own-voice perception, and (3) whether spectral discrimination abilities can predict delay preference. Twenty-four individuals with mild-to-moderate hearing impairment participated. Using prototype receiver-in-the-canal HAs, processing delays of 0.5, 5, and 10 ms were compared. Delay preference was assessed using a paired-comparison task. Perceptual dimensions relating to own-voice perception were investigated using a customized version of the "Own Voice Qualities" questionnaire. Spectral discrimination abilities were assessed using a spectral ripple discrimination (SRD) task. The analyses showed that the 0.5-ms delay was preferred over the longer delays. Furthermore, the 0.5-ms delay received better ratings related to tonality perception (e.g., attributes such as metallic and sharp) and own-voice quality compared to the 10-ms delay. SRD abilities did not predict delay preference. Overall, these results provide insights into how open-fit HAs can be optimized with respect to own-voice perception.

Single-sided deafness (SSD) is a typical condition of partial auditory deprivation. Total auditory deprivation triggers cross-modal neural reorganization, but in patients with partial hearing deprivation, how residual auditory function is balanced with the compensatory plasticity of other sensory modalities remains unclear. Previous studies have reported conflicting findings, potentially due to differences in study populations or task designs. Here, we investigated hierarchical neural processing in a homogeneous cohort of 37 congenital SSD patients (31.6 ± 6.5 years, 18 males) and 32 normal-hearing (NH) controls (30.6 ± 7.3 years, 14 males) using both auditory and visual oddball tasks with electroencephalography (EEG). In the auditory task, SSD patients presented reduced amplitudes of early exogenous components (N1, P2) and mismatch negativity (MMN), but preserved late endogenous components (N2, P3), compared with NH controls. Conversely, in the visual task, SSD patients presented increased early visual N1 amplitudes with intact visual mismatch negativity (vMMN) and endogenous components (N2, P3). No latency differences in the above components were observed. These results reveal a difference in plasticity between lower- and higher-level processing. Our findings indicate that functional plasticity in SSD patients occurs predominantly at sensory stages and is characterized by diminished auditory and compensatory elevated visual neural activity, whereas higher-level discrimination processing in either modality is largely unaffected. These findings clarify prior discrepancies, establish a hierarchical framework for understanding neuroplasticity in partial sensory deprivation, and have implications for rehabilitation strategies for SSD patients.

Difficulty recognizing speech in noise is a common complaint among those with sensorineural hearing loss. Yet the degree of difficulty differs widely among individuals, often unrelated to the clinical gold standard for evaluating hearing, the pure-tone audiogram. Research has isolated both auditory and nonauditory factors responsible for these differences, but these factors do not operate in isolation. In the present work, a generic computational model involving simultaneous cue sensitivity, cue reliance, and decision noise provided an integrative framework for identifying sources of between-listener variance not accounted for by the audiogram. The framework was applied to performance differences within and between normal-hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) groups in the processing of linguistic, acoustic, and statistical cues supporting speech recognition in noise. The primary source of performance differences between groups was differences in sensitivity for the subtle, but largely stationary acoustic cues required for speech recognition. The overwhelming source of performance differences within groups was differences in decision noise associated with more salient, but highly variable statistical cues for speech separation. For speech separation, HI listeners placed far greater reliance than NH listeners on the one cue for which they were most sensitive. HI listeners, but not NH listeners, benefitted by shifting all acoustic information to this most relied on cue. The results provide preliminary support for the feasibility of integrative modeling as a means of evaluating the collective influence of factors affecting speech recognition in noise.

This study aimed to characterize effects of bilateral bone conduction devices (BCD) including the Cochlear™ Osia^® (Osia) and the Cochlear™ percutaneous Baha^® Connect System (Baha) on localization of stationary and moving sound in children and adolescents with bilateral atresia. Participants were 11 listeners with BCDs [M_Age(SD) = 14.7(3.5) years] and 11 age-matched controls [M_Age(SD) = 14.9(1.9) years]. Outcomes were word recognition in quiet and noise, spatial release from masking (SRM) [spondee-word recognition thresholds in noise at co-located/0° or separated (90° left/right) positions], self-reported hearing using the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ), and localization of stationary and moving sound with tracking of real-time unrestricted head movements. BCD users had reduced speech perception accuracy in noise during unilateral listening (p < .001) and higher speech recognition thresholds than controls (p = .001). BCD users had higher errors than controls during stationary (p < .001) and moving (p < .001) sound localization consistent with self-reported spatial hearing challenges. BCD users had significantly reduced errors during bilateral use compared to unilateral use for stationary (p < .01) but not always for moving (right unilateral: p < .01; left unilateral: p = .46) sound localization. BCD users spent less time moving their heads in the correct direction compared to controls for stationary and moving sound localization (p < .01). Results indicate that children and adolescents with BCDs demonstrate improved localization of stationary but not moving sound-sources, with bilateral device use compared to unilateral use. This finding provides evidence for some access to binaural cues and mitigation of head shadow despite transcranial attenuation, but ineffective use of head movements.

Research into the long-term effects of noise on hearing is often confounded by health and lifestyle differences between individuals. UK police radio ear-pieces are capable of emitting high sound levels and, crucially, are worn in one ear, allowing between-ear comparisons which control for individual-level confounding factors. Low volume-control settings are recommended to reduce risk to police hearing, yet actual usage patterns and auditory effects remain unexamined. This study used a large-scale survey (N = 4,498) to assess ear-piece noise exposure and the associated hearing health. Most participants reported using high volume-control settings and 45.2% reported experiencing signs of temporary threshold shift (TTS) in the exposed ear. Estimated weekly-averaged noise exposures frequently exceeded the UK's 85 dBA Upper Exposure Action Value. Ear-piece use was associated with 73% (95% confidence interval [CI] 46-106%) increased risk of persistent tinnitus, which on mediation analysis appeared to be driven by a subset of users who experienced signs of TTS. Importantly, tinnitus location was associated with the side of exposure, suggesting tinnitus related to device use rather than to other factors. In contrast, Digits-In-Noise thresholds showed no relation with noise exposure; potential explanations include compensatory auditory training effects, but limitations of Digits-In-Noise data must also be considered. Findings highlight a need for further investigation into hearing risks in police personnel, including in-person auditory testing. Risk mitigation strategies might involve improved device design, training on safe use, and expanded hearing health surveillance. Given the potential for cumulative auditory damage, TTS may serve as an early warning sign, warranting attention in broader noise-exposed populations.

Music is central to many people's lives, and hearing loss (HL) is often a barrier to musical engagement. Hearing aids (HAs) help, but their efficacy in improving speech does not consistently translate to music. This research evaluated systems submitted to the 1^st Cadenza Machine Learning Challenge, where entrants aimed to improve music audio quality for HA users through source separation and remixing. The HA users (N = 53, ranging from "mild" to "moderately severe" HL) assessed eight challenge systems (including one baseline using the HDemucs source separation algorithm, remixing to original mixes of music samples, and applying National Acoustic Laboratories Revised amplification) and rated 200 music samples processed for their HL. Participants rated samples on basic audio quality, clarity, harshness, distortion, frequency balance, and liking. Results suggest no entrant system surpassed the baseline for audio quality, although differences emerged in system efficacy across HL severities. Clarity and distortion ratings were most predictive of audio quality. Finally, some systems produced signals with higher objective loudness, spectral flux and clipping with increasing HL severity; these received lower audio quality ratings by listeners with moderately severe HL. Findings highlight how music enhancement requires varied solutions and tests across a range of HL severities. This challenge provided a first application of source separation to music listening with HL. However, state-of-the-art source separation algorithms limited the diversity of entrant solutions, resulting in no improvements over the baseline; to promote development of innovative processing strategies, future work should increase complexity of music listening scenarios to be addressed through source separation.