Musical experience sharpens human cochlear tuning

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Gavin M. Bidelman, Caitlin Nelms, Shaum P. Bhagat
The mammalian cochlea functions as a filter bank that performs a spectral, Fourier-like decomposition on the acoustic signal. While tuning can be compromised (e.g., broadened with hearing impairment), whether or not human cochlear frequency resolution can be sharpened through experiential factors (e.g., training or learning) has not yet been established. Previous studies have demonstrated sharper psychophysical tuning curves in trained musicians compared to nonmusicians, implying superior peripheral tuning. However, these findings are based on perceptual masking paradigms, and reflect engagement of the entire auditory system rather than cochlear tuning, per se. Here, by directly mapping physiological tuning curves from stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs)—cochlear emitted sounds—we show that estimates of human cochlear tuning in a high-frequency cochlear region (4 kHz) is further sharpened (by a factor of 1.5x) in musicians and improves with the number of years of their auditory training. These findings were corroborated by measurements of psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs) derived via simultaneous masking, which similarly showed sharper tuning in musicians. Comparisons between SFOAE and PTCs revealed closer correspondence between physiological and behavioral curves in musicians, indicating that tuning is also more consistent between different levels of auditory processing in trained ears. Our findings demonstrate an experience-dependent enhancement in the resolving power of the cochlear sensory epithelium and the spectral resolution of human hearing and provide a peripheral account for the auditory perceptual benefits observed in musicians. Both local and feedback (e.g., medial olivocochlear efferent) mechanisms are discussed as potential mechanisms for experience-dependent tuning.



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Anatomical and physiological development of the human inner ear

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Rebecca Lim, Alan M. Brichta
We describe the development of the human inner ear with the invagination of the otic vesicle at 4 weeks gestation (WG), the growth of the semicircular canals from 5 WG, and the elongation and coiling of the cochlea at 10 WG. As the membranous labyrinth takes shape, there is a concomitant development of the sensory neuroepithelia and their associated structures within. This review details the growth and differentiation of the vestibular and auditory neuroepithelia, including synaptogenesis, the expression of stereocilia and kinocilia, and innervation of hair cells by afferent and efferent nerve fibres. Along with development of essential sensory structures we outline the formation of crucial accessory structures of the vestibular system – the cupula and otolithic membrane and otoconia as well as the three cochlea compartments and the tectorial membrane. Recent molecular studies have elaborated on classical anatomical studies to characterize the development of prosensory and sensory regions of the fetal human cochlea using the transcription factors, PAX2, MAF-B, SOX2, and SOX9. Further advances are being made with recent physiological studies that are beginning to describe when hair cells are becoming functionally active during human gestation.



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Musical experience sharpens human cochlear tuning

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Gavin M. Bidelman, Caitlin Nelms, Shaum P. Bhagat
The mammalian cochlea functions as a filter bank that performs a spectral, Fourier-like decomposition on the acoustic signal. While tuning can be compromised (e.g., broadened with hearing impairment), whether or not human cochlear frequency resolution can be sharpened through experiential factors (e.g., training or learning) has not yet been established. Previous studies have demonstrated sharper psychophysical tuning curves in trained musicians compared to nonmusicians, implying superior peripheral tuning. However, these findings are based on perceptual masking paradigms, and reflect engagement of the entire auditory system rather than cochlear tuning, per se. Here, by directly mapping physiological tuning curves from stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs)—cochlear emitted sounds—we show that estimates of human cochlear tuning in a high-frequency cochlear region (4 kHz) is further sharpened (by a factor of 1.5x) in musicians and improves with the number of years of their auditory training. These findings were corroborated by measurements of psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs) derived via simultaneous masking, which similarly showed sharper tuning in musicians. Comparisons between SFOAE and PTCs revealed closer correspondence between physiological and behavioral curves in musicians, indicating that tuning is also more consistent between different levels of auditory processing in trained ears. Our findings demonstrate an experience-dependent enhancement in the resolving power of the cochlear sensory epithelium and the spectral resolution of human hearing and provide a peripheral account for the auditory perceptual benefits observed in musicians. Both local and feedback (e.g., medial olivocochlear efferent) mechanisms are discussed as potential mechanisms for experience-dependent tuning.



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Musical experience sharpens human cochlear tuning

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Gavin M. Bidelman, Caitlin Nelms, Shaum P. Bhagat
The mammalian cochlea functions as a filter bank that performs a spectral, Fourier-like decomposition on the acoustic signal. While tuning can be compromised (e.g., broadened with hearing impairment), whether or not human cochlear frequency resolution can be sharpened through experiential factors (e.g., training or learning) has not yet been established. Previous studies have demonstrated sharper psychophysical tuning curves in trained musicians compared to nonmusicians, implying superior peripheral tuning. However, these findings are based on perceptual masking paradigms, and reflect engagement of the entire auditory system rather than cochlear tuning, per se. Here, by directly mapping physiological tuning curves from stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs)—cochlear emitted sounds—we show that estimates of human cochlear tuning in a high-frequency cochlear region (4 kHz) is further sharpened (by a factor of 1.5x) in musicians and improves with the number of years of their auditory training. These findings were corroborated by measurements of psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs) derived via simultaneous masking, which similarly showed sharper tuning in musicians. Comparisons between SFOAE and PTCs revealed closer correspondence between physiological and behavioral curves in musicians, indicating that tuning is also more consistent between different levels of auditory processing in trained ears. Our findings demonstrate an experience-dependent enhancement in the resolving power of the cochlear sensory epithelium and the spectral resolution of human hearing and provide a peripheral account for the auditory perceptual benefits observed in musicians. Both local and feedback (e.g., medial olivocochlear efferent) mechanisms are discussed as potential mechanisms for experience-dependent tuning.



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Anatomical and physiological development of the human inner ear

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Rebecca Lim, Alan M. Brichta
We describe the development of the human inner ear with the invagination of the otic vesicle at 4 weeks gestation (WG), the growth of the semicircular canals from 5 WG, and the elongation and coiling of the cochlea at 10 WG. As the membranous labyrinth takes shape, there is a concomitant development of the sensory neuroepithelia and their associated structures within. This review details the growth and differentiation of the vestibular and auditory neuroepithelia, including synaptogenesis, the expression of stereocilia and kinocilia, and innervation of hair cells by afferent and efferent nerve fibres. Along with development of essential sensory structures we outline the formation of crucial accessory structures of the vestibular system – the cupula and otolithic membrane and otoconia as well as the three cochlea compartments and the tectorial membrane. Recent molecular studies have elaborated on classical anatomical studies to characterize the development of prosensory and sensory regions of the fetal human cochlea using the transcription factors, PAX2, MAF-B, SOX2, and SOX9. Further advances are being made with recent physiological studies that are beginning to describe when hair cells are becoming functionally active during human gestation.



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Musical experience sharpens human cochlear tuning

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Gavin M. Bidelman, Caitlin Nelms, Shaum P. Bhagat
The mammalian cochlea functions as a filter bank that performs a spectral, Fourier-like decomposition on the acoustic signal. While tuning can be compromised (e.g., broadened with hearing impairment), whether or not human cochlear frequency resolution can be sharpened through experiential factors (e.g., training or learning) has not yet been established. Previous studies have demonstrated sharper psychophysical tuning curves in trained musicians compared to nonmusicians, implying superior peripheral tuning. However, these findings are based on perceptual masking paradigms, and reflect engagement of the entire auditory system rather than cochlear tuning, per se. Here, by directly mapping physiological tuning curves from stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs)—cochlear emitted sounds—we show that estimates of human cochlear tuning in a high-frequency cochlear region (4 kHz) is further sharpened (by a factor of 1.5x) in musicians and improves with the number of years of their auditory training. These findings were corroborated by measurements of psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs) derived via simultaneous masking, which similarly showed sharper tuning in musicians. Comparisons between SFOAE and PTCs revealed closer correspondence between physiological and behavioral curves in musicians, indicating that tuning is also more consistent between different levels of auditory processing in trained ears. Our findings demonstrate an experience-dependent enhancement in the resolving power of the cochlear sensory epithelium and the spectral resolution of human hearing and provide a peripheral account for the auditory perceptual benefits observed in musicians. Both local and feedback (e.g., medial olivocochlear efferent) mechanisms are discussed as potential mechanisms for experience-dependent tuning.



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Anatomical and physiological development of the human inner ear

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Rebecca Lim, Alan M. Brichta
We describe the development of the human inner ear with the invagination of the otic vesicle at 4 weeks gestation (WG), the growth of the semicircular canals from 5 WG, and the elongation and coiling of the cochlea at 10 WG. As the membranous labyrinth takes shape, there is a concomitant development of the sensory neuroepithelia and their associated structures within. This review details the growth and differentiation of the vestibular and auditory neuroepithelia, including synaptogenesis, the expression of stereocilia and kinocilia, and innervation of hair cells by afferent and efferent nerve fibres. Along with development of essential sensory structures we outline the formation of crucial accessory structures of the vestibular system – the cupula and otolithic membrane and otoconia as well as the three cochlea compartments and the tectorial membrane. Recent molecular studies have elaborated on classical anatomical studies to characterize the development of prosensory and sensory regions of the fetal human cochlea using the transcription factors, PAX2, MAF-B, SOX2, and SOX9. Further advances are being made with recent physiological studies that are beginning to describe when hair cells are becoming functionally active during human gestation.



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Anatomical and physiological development of the human inner ear

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Rebecca Lim, Alan M. Brichta
We describe the development of the human inner ear with the invagination of the otic vesicle at 4 weeks gestation (WG), the growth of the semicircular canals from 5 WG, and the elongation and coiling of the cochlea at 10 WG. As the membranous labyrinth takes shape, there is a concomitant development of the sensory neuroepithelia and their associated structures within. This review details the growth and differentiation of the vestibular and auditory neuroepithelia, including synaptogenesis, the expression of stereocilia and kinocilia, and innervation of hair cells by afferent and efferent nerve fibres. Along with development of essential sensory structures we outline the formation of crucial accessory structures of the vestibular system – the cupula and otolithic membrane and otoconia as well as the three cochlea compartments and the tectorial membrane. Recent molecular studies have elaborated on classical anatomical studies to characterize the development of prosensory and sensory regions of the fetal human cochlea using the transcription factors, PAX2, MAF-B, SOX2, and SOX9. Further advances are being made with recent physiological studies that are beginning to describe when hair cells are becoming functionally active during human gestation.



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Musical experience sharpens human cochlear tuning

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Gavin M. Bidelman, Caitlin Nelms, Shaum P. Bhagat
The mammalian cochlea functions as a filter bank that performs a spectral, Fourier-like decomposition on the acoustic signal. While tuning can be compromised (e.g., broadened with hearing impairment), whether or not human cochlear frequency resolution can be sharpened through experiential factors (e.g., training or learning) has not yet been established. Previous studies have demonstrated sharper psychophysical tuning curves in trained musicians compared to nonmusicians, implying superior peripheral tuning. However, these findings are based on perceptual masking paradigms, and reflect engagement of the entire auditory system rather than cochlear tuning, per se. Here, by directly mapping physiological tuning curves from stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs)—cochlear emitted sounds—we show that estimates of human cochlear tuning in a high-frequency cochlear region (4 kHz) is further sharpened (by a factor of 1.5x) in musicians and improves with the number of years of their auditory training. These findings were corroborated by measurements of psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs) derived via simultaneous masking, which similarly showed sharper tuning in musicians. Comparisons between SFOAE and PTCs revealed closer correspondence between physiological and behavioral curves in musicians, indicating that tuning is also more consistent between different levels of auditory processing in trained ears. Our findings demonstrate an experience-dependent enhancement in the resolving power of the cochlear sensory epithelium and the spectral resolution of human hearing and provide a peripheral account for the auditory perceptual benefits observed in musicians. Both local and feedback (e.g., medial olivocochlear efferent) mechanisms are discussed as potential mechanisms for experience-dependent tuning.



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Anatomical and physiological development of the human inner ear

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Rebecca Lim, Alan M. Brichta
We describe the development of the human inner ear with the invagination of the otic vesicle at 4 weeks gestation (WG), the growth of the semicircular canals from 5 WG, and the elongation and coiling of the cochlea at 10 WG. As the membranous labyrinth takes shape, there is a concomitant development of the sensory neuroepithelia and their associated structures within. This review details the growth and differentiation of the vestibular and auditory neuroepithelia, including synaptogenesis, the expression of stereocilia and kinocilia, and innervation of hair cells by afferent and efferent nerve fibres. Along with development of essential sensory structures we outline the formation of crucial accessory structures of the vestibular system – the cupula and otolithic membrane and otoconia as well as the three cochlea compartments and the tectorial membrane. Recent molecular studies have elaborated on classical anatomical studies to characterize the development of prosensory and sensory regions of the fetal human cochlea using the transcription factors, PAX2, MAF-B, SOX2, and SOX9. Further advances are being made with recent physiological studies that are beginning to describe when hair cells are becoming functionally active during human gestation.



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The role of various structures in the head on the formation of the biosonar beam of the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer)

The relative role of the various structures in the head of the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) is examined. A finite element approach was applied to numerically simulate the acoustic propagation through a dolphin's head to examine the relative role of the skull, air sacs, and melon in the formation of the biosonar beam in the vertical plane. The beam pattern obtained with the whole head in place is compared with the beam pattern when the air sac is removed and the other structures (skull and melon) are in place, with only the skull removed, and finally with only the melon removed. The beam pattern with the air sacs and skull intact and the melon removed closely resembled the beam pattern for the complete head, suggesting that the melon has a minor role in the formation of the beam. The beam pattern for the other two cases had very little resemblance to the beam pattern for the whole head. The air sacs seem to have a role of directing propagation of the signal toward the front and the skull prevents the sound propagating below the rostrum. The beam patterns along with a correlation analysis showed that the melon had only a slight influence on the shape and direction of the beam. The resultant beam exiting the head of the dolphin is the result of complex reflection processes within the head of the animal.

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Array model interpolation and subband iterative adaptive filters applied to beamforming-based acoustic echo cancellation

In this paper, an evolutionary exposition is given in regard to the enhancing strategies for acoustic echo cancellers (AECs). A fixed beamformer (FBF) is utilized to focus on the near-end speaker while suppressing the echo from the far end. In reality, the array steering vector could differ considerably from the ideal freefield plane wave model. Therefore, an experimental procedure is developed to interpolate a practical array model from the measured frequency responses. Subband (SB) filtering with polyphase implementation is exploited to accelerate the cancellation process. Generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC) composed of an FBF and an adaptive blocking module is combined with AEC to maximize cancellation performance. Another enhancement is an internal iteration (IIT) procedure that enables efficient convergence in the adaptive SB filters within a sample time. Objective tests in terms of echo return loss enhancement (ERLE), perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ), word recognition rate for automatic speech recognition (ASR), and subjective listening tests are conducted to validate the proposed AEC approaches. The results show that the GSC-SB-AEC-IIT approach has attained the highest ERLE without speech quality degradation, even in double-talk scenarios.

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Compensation of Vestibular Function and Plasticity of Vestibular Nucleus after Unilateral Cochleostomy.

Related Articles

Compensation of Vestibular Function and Plasticity of Vestibular Nucleus after Unilateral Cochleostomy.

Neural Plast. 2016;2016:7287180

Authors: Suh MW, Hyun J, Lyu AR, Kim DW, Park SJ, Choi JW, Hur GM, Park YH

Abstract
Dizziness and vertigo frequently occur after cochlear implantation (CI) surgery, particularly during the early stages. It could recover over time but some of the patients suffered from delayed or sustained vestibular symptoms after CI. This study used rat animal models to investigate the effect of unilateral cochleostomy on the vestibular organs over time. Twenty-seven Sprague Dawley rats underwent cochleostomy to evaluate the postoperative changes in hearing threshold, gain and symmetry of the vestibular ocular response, overall balance function, number of hair cells in the crista, and the c-Fos activity in the brainstem vestibular nucleus. Loss of vestibular function was observed during the early stages, but function recovered partially over time. Histopathological findings demonstrated a mild decrease in vestibular hair cells numbers. Increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the vestibular nucleus, observed in the early stages after cochleostomy, decreased over time. Cochleostomy is a risk factor for peripheral vestibular organ damage that can cause functional impairment in the peripheral vestibular organs. Altered vestibular nucleus activity may be associated with vestibular compensation and plasticity after unilateral cochleostomy.

PMID: 26881130 [PubMed - in process]

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Muscle strengthening activities and mortality with considerations by hearing sensitivity.

Muscle strengthening activities and mortality with considerations by hearing sensitivity.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Feb 17;:1-3

Authors: Loprinzi PD

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Research demonstrates that hearing impairment is associated with premature all-cause mortality. Emerging work indicates that physical activity is associated with hearing sensitivity and muscle strengthening activities (MSA) are favorably associated mortality in the general population. Whether MSA can promote survival among those with hearing impairment is, at this point, unknown, which was this study's objective.
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study using data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with follow-up through 2011.
STUDY SAMPLE: 1482 adult (20-85 years) participants comprised the analytic sample.
RESULTS: Among the study participants, 152 died over the follow-up period (10.26%; unweighted); the unweighted median follow-up period was 89 months (IQR = 74-98 months). Among adults with moderate or greater hearing loss who achieved the United States Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for MSA (2 + sessions/week), they were at a 71% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (HRadjusted = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.10-0.83; P = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS: MSA may help to prolong survival among those with worse hearing impairment.

PMID: 26886144 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Muscle strengthening activities and mortality with considerations by hearing sensitivity.

Muscle strengthening activities and mortality with considerations by hearing sensitivity.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Feb 17;:1-3

Authors: Loprinzi PD

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Research demonstrates that hearing impairment is associated with premature all-cause mortality. Emerging work indicates that physical activity is associated with hearing sensitivity and muscle strengthening activities (MSA) are favorably associated mortality in the general population. Whether MSA can promote survival among those with hearing impairment is, at this point, unknown, which was this study's objective.
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study using data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with follow-up through 2011.
STUDY SAMPLE: 1482 adult (20-85 years) participants comprised the analytic sample.
RESULTS: Among the study participants, 152 died over the follow-up period (10.26%; unweighted); the unweighted median follow-up period was 89 months (IQR = 74-98 months). Among adults with moderate or greater hearing loss who achieved the United States Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for MSA (2 + sessions/week), they were at a 71% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (HRadjusted = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.10-0.83; P = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS: MSA may help to prolong survival among those with worse hearing impairment.

PMID: 26886144 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Muscle strengthening activities and mortality with considerations by hearing sensitivity

10.3109/14992027.2016.1140233<br/>Paul D. Loprinzi

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Compensation of Vestibular Function and Plasticity of Vestibular Nucleus after Unilateral Cochleostomy.

Related Articles

Compensation of Vestibular Function and Plasticity of Vestibular Nucleus after Unilateral Cochleostomy.

Neural Plast. 2016;2016:7287180

Authors: Suh MW, Hyun J, Lyu AR, Kim DW, Park SJ, Choi JW, Hur GM, Park YH

Abstract
Dizziness and vertigo frequently occur after cochlear implantation (CI) surgery, particularly during the early stages. It could recover over time but some of the patients suffered from delayed or sustained vestibular symptoms after CI. This study used rat animal models to investigate the effect of unilateral cochleostomy on the vestibular organs over time. Twenty-seven Sprague Dawley rats underwent cochleostomy to evaluate the postoperative changes in hearing threshold, gain and symmetry of the vestibular ocular response, overall balance function, number of hair cells in the crista, and the c-Fos activity in the brainstem vestibular nucleus. Loss of vestibular function was observed during the early stages, but function recovered partially over time. Histopathological findings demonstrated a mild decrease in vestibular hair cells numbers. Increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the vestibular nucleus, observed in the early stages after cochleostomy, decreased over time. Cochleostomy is a risk factor for peripheral vestibular organ damage that can cause functional impairment in the peripheral vestibular organs. Altered vestibular nucleus activity may be associated with vestibular compensation and plasticity after unilateral cochleostomy.

PMID: 26881130 [PubMed - in process]

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via IFTTT

Muscle strengthening activities and mortality with considerations by hearing sensitivity.

Muscle strengthening activities and mortality with considerations by hearing sensitivity.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Feb 17;:1-3

Authors: Loprinzi PD

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Research demonstrates that hearing impairment is associated with premature all-cause mortality. Emerging work indicates that physical activity is associated with hearing sensitivity and muscle strengthening activities (MSA) are favorably associated mortality in the general population. Whether MSA can promote survival among those with hearing impairment is, at this point, unknown, which was this study's objective.
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study using data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with follow-up through 2011.
STUDY SAMPLE: 1482 adult (20-85 years) participants comprised the analytic sample.
RESULTS: Among the study participants, 152 died over the follow-up period (10.26%; unweighted); the unweighted median follow-up period was 89 months (IQR = 74-98 months). Among adults with moderate or greater hearing loss who achieved the United States Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for MSA (2 + sessions/week), they were at a 71% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (HRadjusted = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.10-0.83; P = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS: MSA may help to prolong survival among those with worse hearing impairment.

PMID: 26886144 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1Vppr9g
via IFTTT

Muscle strengthening activities and mortality with considerations by hearing sensitivity.

Muscle strengthening activities and mortality with considerations by hearing sensitivity.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Feb 17;:1-3

Authors: Loprinzi PD

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Research demonstrates that hearing impairment is associated with premature all-cause mortality. Emerging work indicates that physical activity is associated with hearing sensitivity and muscle strengthening activities (MSA) are favorably associated mortality in the general population. Whether MSA can promote survival among those with hearing impairment is, at this point, unknown, which was this study's objective.
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study using data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with follow-up through 2011.
STUDY SAMPLE: 1482 adult (20-85 years) participants comprised the analytic sample.
RESULTS: Among the study participants, 152 died over the follow-up period (10.26%; unweighted); the unweighted median follow-up period was 89 months (IQR = 74-98 months). Among adults with moderate or greater hearing loss who achieved the United States Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for MSA (2 + sessions/week), they were at a 71% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (HRadjusted = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.10-0.83; P = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS: MSA may help to prolong survival among those with worse hearing impairment.

PMID: 26886144 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Intracochlear Position of Cochlear Implants Determined Using CT Scanning versus Fitting Levels: Higher Threshold Levels at Basal Turn

Objectives: In this study, the effects of the intracochlear position of cochlear implants on the clinical fitting levels were analyzed. Design: A total of 130 adult subjects who used a CII/HiRes 90K cochlear implant with a HiFocus 1/1J electrode were included in the study. The insertion angle and the distance to the modiolus of each electrode contact were determined using high-resolution CT scanning. The threshold levels (T-levels) and maximum comfort levels (M-levels) at 1 year of follow-up were determined. The degree of speech perception of the subjects was evaluated during routine clinical follow-up. Results: The depths of insertion of all the electrode contacts were determined. The distance to the modiolus was significantly smaller at the basal and apical cochlear parts compared with that at the middle of the cochlea (p Conclusions: The stimulation levels of the cochlear implants were affected by the intracochlear position of the electrode contacts, which were determined using postoperative CT scanning. Interestingly, these levels depended on the insertion depth, whereas the distance to the modiolus did not affect the stimulation levels. The T-levels increased toward the basal end of the cochlea. The level profiles were independent of the overall stimulation levels and were not affected by the biographical data of the patients, such as the duration of deafness, age at implantation or time since implantation. Further research is required to elucidate how fitting using level profiles with an increase toward the basal end of the cochlea benefits speech perception. Future investigations may elucidate an explanation for the effects of the intracochlear electrode position on the stimulation levels and might facilitate future improvements in electrode design.
Audiol Neurotol 2016;21:54-67

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Muscle strengthening activities and mortality with considerations by hearing sensitivity

10.3109/14992027.2016.1140233<br/>Paul D. Loprinzi

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Genetic characteristics of the couple with non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss and fertility guidance.

Genetic characteristics of the couple with non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss and fertility guidance.

Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015;8(11):21746-54

Authors: Liu RM, Liu HJ, Cong JL, Sun AL, Du JD, Sun CM

Abstract
PURPOSE: We aim to report a genetic testing and fertility guidance for the deaf through analyzing pedigree and molecular genetic characteristics of the couple who have non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSHL).
METHODS: One of hospitalized congenial deaf couple and family members were included in this study. The wife was twin pregnant woman and her gestational age was 31(+5) pregnant weeks. The DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and umbilical vein blood, respectively. Mutation screening of common deafness genes was performed in pregnant women and other family members. Nine common mutations in four major deafness genes, GJB2 (35delG, 176del16, 235delC, 299delAT), GjB3 (C538T), SLC26A4 (IVS7-2A>G, A2168G) and Mitochondrial 12S rRNA (A1555G, C1494T), were detected simultaneously with a microarray based method. SLC26A4 whole genome sequencing was carried out for the results of the DNA microarray. According to the test results, the couple chose abortion termination of pregnancy twins, and after one year obtained singleton pregnancy by artificial insemination by donor (AID). In week 16 of pregnancy, amniocentesis had been done to collect fetal somatic cell and extract DNA, and then the above tests had been repeated.
RESULTS: The couple had SLC26A4 combined heterozygous mutation. Both parents had SLC26A4 single heterozygous mutation. Twin fetuses had SLC26A4 combined heterozygous mutation. The probability of naturally being pregnant and bearing deaf children for the pregnant women was 100%. Fetus obtained by AID had SLC26A4 single heterozygous mutation. After the birth of the baby, her hearing has been normal.
CONCLUSIONS: To reduce children with congenital deafness, screening high mutation sites by microarray, combined with pedigree analysis and gene sequencing is effective, and should be used as a routine inspection item for the deaf before marriage and pregnancy. On the basis of genetic testing for the couple with hearing loss, human assisted reproductive technology is a viable option to avoid the birth of infant with hereditary deafness.

PMID: 26885137 [PubMed]

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Recessive mutations of TMC1 associated with moderate to severe hearing loss.

Related Articles

Recessive mutations of TMC1 associated with moderate to severe hearing loss.

Neurogenetics. 2016 Feb 16;

Authors: Imtiaz A, Maqsood A, Rehman AU, Morell RJ, Holt JR, Friedman TB, Naz S

Abstract
TMC1 encodes a protein required for the normal function of mechanically activated channels that enable sensory transduction in auditory and vestibular hair cells. TMC1 protein is localized at the tips of the hair cell stereocilia, the site of conventional mechanotransduction. In many populations, loss-of-function recessive mutations of TMC1 are associated with profound deafness across all frequencies tested. In six families reported here, variable moderate-to-severe or moderate-to-profound hearing loss co-segregated with STR (short tandem repeats) markers at the TMC1 locus DFNB7/11. Massively parallel and Sanger sequencing of genomic DNA revealed each family co-segregating hearing loss with a homozygous TMC1 mutation: two reported mutations (p.R34X and p.R389Q) and three novel mutations (p.S596R, p.N199I, and c.1404 + 1G > T). TMC1 cDNA sequence from affected subjects homozygous for the donor splice site transversion c.1404 + 1G > T revealed skipping of exon 16, deleting 60 amino acids from the TMC1 protein. Since the mutations in our study cause less than profound hearing loss, we speculate that there is hypo-functional TMC1 mechanotransduction channel activity and that other even less damaging variants of TMC1 may be associated with more common mild-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss.

PMID: 26879195 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Novel homozygous SLC29A3 mutations among two unrelated Egyptian families with spectral features of H-syndrome.

Related Articles

Novel homozygous SLC29A3 mutations among two unrelated Egyptian families with spectral features of H-syndrome.

Pediatr Diabetes. 2015 Jun;16(4):305-16

Authors: Al-Haggar M, Salem N, Wahba Y, Ahmad N, Jonard L, Abdel-Hady D, El-Hawary A, El-Sharkawy A, Eid AR, El-Hawary A

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: H syndrome and pigmented hypertrichosis with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (PHID) had been described as two autosomal recessive disorders. We aim to screen for pathogenic SLC29A3 mutations in two unrelated Egyptian families with affected siblings of these overlapping syndromes.
METHODS: Clinical, laboratory, histopathological, and radiological characteristics of individuals probably diagnosed as H and/or PHID syndrome were reported. Mutation analysis of SLC29A3 gene was performed for all members of the two Egyptian families.
RESULTS: All affected individuals were females; proband of family-I (A1961) displayed overlapping features of H syndrome and PHID, while her younger brother (A1962) was asymptomatic. A1961 presented with previously undescribed features; absent pectoralis major muscle and a supracondylar bony spur in left humerus. In family-II, probands (A1965 and A1966) had clinical features consistent with classical H syndrome with unique early onset of cutaneous phenomena at birth. Mutation analysis of SLC29A3 revealed homozygous mutation previously reported in literature c.1279G>A [p.G427S] in A1961 and unexpectedly in the asymptomatic A1962 of family-I. Probands of family-II were homozygous for a novel mutation c.401G>A [p.R134H], in the same codon that was published in an Indian boy [p.R134C].
CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize the inter- and intra-familial genetic heterogeneity among Egyptian patients with overlapping features of SLC29A3 disorders. This suggests the presence of other factors like regulatory genes or epigenetic factors that may explain variable disease manifestations and severity.

PMID: 24894595 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Muscle strengthening activities and mortality with considerations by hearing sensitivity

10.3109/14992027.2016.1140233<br/>Paul D. Loprinzi

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Having Two Ears Facilitates the Perceptual Separation of Concurrent Talkers for Bilateral and Single-Sided Deaf Cochlear Implantees.

Objectives: Listening to speech with multiple competing talkers requires the perceptual separation of the target voice from the interfering background. Normal-hearing listeners are able to take advantage of perceived differences in the spatial locations of competing sound sources to facilitate this process. Previous research suggests that bilateral (BI) cochlear-implant (CI) listeners cannot do so, and it is unknown whether single-sided deaf (SSD) CI users (one acoustic and one CI ear) have this ability. This study investigated whether providing a second ear via cochlear implantation can facilitate the perceptual separation of targets and interferers in a listening situation involving multiple competing talkers. Design: BI-CI and SSD-CI listeners were required to identify speech from a target talker mixed with one or two interfering talkers. In the baseline monaural condition, the target speech and the interferers were presented to one of the CIs (for the BI-CI listeners) or to the acoustic ear (for the SSD-CI listeners). In the bilateral condition, the target was still presented to the first ear but the interferers were presented to both the target ear and the listener's second ear (always a CI), thereby testing whether CI listeners could use information about the interferer obtained from a second ear to facilitate perceptual separation of the target and interferer. Results: Presenting a copy of the interfering signals to the second ear improved performance, up to 4 to 5 dB (12 to 18 percentage points), but the amount of improvement depended on the type of interferer. For BI-CI listeners, the improvement occurred mainly in conditions involving one interfering talker, regardless of gender. For SSD-CI listeners, the improvement occurred in conditions involving one or two interfering talkers of the same gender as the target. This interaction is consistent with the idea that the SSD-CI listeners had access to pitch cues in their normal-hearing ear to separate the opposite-gender target and interferers, while the BI-CI listeners did not. Conclusions: These results suggest that a second auditory input via a CI can facilitate the perceptual separation of competing talkers in situations where monaural cues are insufficient to do so, thus partially restoring a key advantage of having two ears that was previously thought to be inaccessible to CI users. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Having Two Ears Facilitates the Perceptual Separation of Concurrent Talkers for Bilateral and Single-Sided Deaf Cochlear Implantees.

Objectives: Listening to speech with multiple competing talkers requires the perceptual separation of the target voice from the interfering background. Normal-hearing listeners are able to take advantage of perceived differences in the spatial locations of competing sound sources to facilitate this process. Previous research suggests that bilateral (BI) cochlear-implant (CI) listeners cannot do so, and it is unknown whether single-sided deaf (SSD) CI users (one acoustic and one CI ear) have this ability. This study investigated whether providing a second ear via cochlear implantation can facilitate the perceptual separation of targets and interferers in a listening situation involving multiple competing talkers. Design: BI-CI and SSD-CI listeners were required to identify speech from a target talker mixed with one or two interfering talkers. In the baseline monaural condition, the target speech and the interferers were presented to one of the CIs (for the BI-CI listeners) or to the acoustic ear (for the SSD-CI listeners). In the bilateral condition, the target was still presented to the first ear but the interferers were presented to both the target ear and the listener's second ear (always a CI), thereby testing whether CI listeners could use information about the interferer obtained from a second ear to facilitate perceptual separation of the target and interferer. Results: Presenting a copy of the interfering signals to the second ear improved performance, up to 4 to 5 dB (12 to 18 percentage points), but the amount of improvement depended on the type of interferer. For BI-CI listeners, the improvement occurred mainly in conditions involving one interfering talker, regardless of gender. For SSD-CI listeners, the improvement occurred in conditions involving one or two interfering talkers of the same gender as the target. This interaction is consistent with the idea that the SSD-CI listeners had access to pitch cues in their normal-hearing ear to separate the opposite-gender target and interferers, while the BI-CI listeners did not. Conclusions: These results suggest that a second auditory input via a CI can facilitate the perceptual separation of competing talkers in situations where monaural cues are insufficient to do so, thus partially restoring a key advantage of having two ears that was previously thought to be inaccessible to CI users. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Having Two Ears Facilitates the Perceptual Separation of Concurrent Talkers for Bilateral and Single-Sided Deaf Cochlear Implantees.

Objectives: Listening to speech with multiple competing talkers requires the perceptual separation of the target voice from the interfering background. Normal-hearing listeners are able to take advantage of perceived differences in the spatial locations of competing sound sources to facilitate this process. Previous research suggests that bilateral (BI) cochlear-implant (CI) listeners cannot do so, and it is unknown whether single-sided deaf (SSD) CI users (one acoustic and one CI ear) have this ability. This study investigated whether providing a second ear via cochlear implantation can facilitate the perceptual separation of targets and interferers in a listening situation involving multiple competing talkers. Design: BI-CI and SSD-CI listeners were required to identify speech from a target talker mixed with one or two interfering talkers. In the baseline monaural condition, the target speech and the interferers were presented to one of the CIs (for the BI-CI listeners) or to the acoustic ear (for the SSD-CI listeners). In the bilateral condition, the target was still presented to the first ear but the interferers were presented to both the target ear and the listener's second ear (always a CI), thereby testing whether CI listeners could use information about the interferer obtained from a second ear to facilitate perceptual separation of the target and interferer. Results: Presenting a copy of the interfering signals to the second ear improved performance, up to 4 to 5 dB (12 to 18 percentage points), but the amount of improvement depended on the type of interferer. For BI-CI listeners, the improvement occurred mainly in conditions involving one interfering talker, regardless of gender. For SSD-CI listeners, the improvement occurred in conditions involving one or two interfering talkers of the same gender as the target. This interaction is consistent with the idea that the SSD-CI listeners had access to pitch cues in their normal-hearing ear to separate the opposite-gender target and interferers, while the BI-CI listeners did not. Conclusions: These results suggest that a second auditory input via a CI can facilitate the perceptual separation of competing talkers in situations where monaural cues are insufficient to do so, thus partially restoring a key advantage of having two ears that was previously thought to be inaccessible to CI users. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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