A Cure for Hearing Loss on the Horizon

​Activation of the signaling pathway that regulates the differentiation of hair cells could represent a new approach to cochlear regeneration and potentially restore hearing, a new study found (Eur J Neurosci. 2018 Sep 30. doi: 10.1111/ejn.14183. [Epub ahead of print]). Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Massachusetts Ear and Eye Infirmary hypothesized that signaling from the epidermal growth factor receptor family may play a role in cochlear regeneration. Specifically, they focused on a receptor called ERBB2, which is found in cochlear support cells. They found that activating the ERBB2 pathway triggered a cascading series of cellular events by which cochlear support cells began to proliferate and start the process of activating other neighboring stem cells to become new sensory hair cells. This process not only could impact the regeneration of sensory hair cells but also support their integration with nerve cells. The authors said their findings suggest a new model where an interplay of cell signaling regulates regeneration by endogenous stem-like cells. 

Published: 10/19/2018 11:00:00 AM

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Phonak Introduces Marvel Hearing Aids with Real-Time Support and Voice-to-Text Transcription

Phonak has launched Marvel, a revolutionary hearing aid family that combines the benefits of exceptional speech understanding and reduced listening effort in noise with the ability to stream all audio content seamlessly from iPhone, Android smartphone or billions of other Bluetooth enabled devices to both ears in stereo quality. Marvel hearing aids are rechargeable and empower consumers to benefit from remote real-time support via smart apps as well as real-time voice-to-text transcription of phone calls. It has the AutoSense OS™ 3.0 operating system which was developed with artificial intelligence to provide exceptional sound quality from the first fit, better speech understanding in noise, reduced listening effort, and rich sound experience when streaming. The Phonak Audéo™ M will be the first Marvel hearing aid to feature this breakthrough technology.

The Marvel hearing aids include the following features:

• Wearers can stream any audio content, including music, eBooks, and more to both ears from any Bluetooth device
• Built-in microphones allow completely hands-free phone conversations from both iPhone and Android devices while the conversation is heard in both ears
• Lithium-Ion rechargeable option available for a full day of hearing including streaming on a single charge
• Smart apps enable remote fine-tuning and live voice-to-text phone transcriptions
  

Sound quality

AutoSense OS 3.0 was developed using artificial intelligence, to automatically learn, detect and adapt, providing the best hearing experience in any listening environment.

With Marvel technology, AutoSense OS 3.0 can even classify streamed media. In a recent study¹, Audéo M was top-rated for quality of streaming media against five competitors. The enhanced operating system also includes Binaural VoiceStream Technology™ into Marvel hearing aids. This highly-sophisticated four-microphone technology has been proven to significantly improve speech understanding by 60%² in noisy places like restaurants while simultaneously reducing the amount of effort by 19%³ required to listen and understand.

"Audiology is at the heart of everything we do at Phonak." said Martin Grieder, Group Vice President, Hearing Instruments Marketing at Sonova. "That's why Marvel is such a game-changer for our industry. Marvel technology empowers people and provides a true "love at first sound" experience. We believe the sound quality is second to none, and it begins the moment the person puts the hearing aids on."

Stream from iOS, Android and billions of Bluetooth devices

The Android operating system accounts for 86%⁴ of all smartphones worldwide, yet until today, binaural (two-ear) streaming of phone calls, music, and other multimedia content directly to hearing aids has only been a reality for iPhone users, who only account for 13% of smartphone owners worldwide. Empowering all consumers regardless of the smartphone operating system has been a driving force behind Phonak. Audéo M is capable of direct audio streaming from virtually any smartphone around the world.

"For years, the hearing aid industry has waited for a single solution that streams phone conversations, music, and video content in stereo from both iPhone and Android devices," said Thomas Lang, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Phonak. "Today, we're proud to announce that the wait is over. Marvel technology gives wearers access to billions of Bluetooth-enabled devices, so people no longer have to think about whether their hearing aids will work with their phones or other personal electronics."

Continuing the rechargeable revolution

There are numerous benefits to not having to change tiny hearing aid batteries, not only for people with vision or dexterity challenges. In fact, rechargeable hearing aids are cited as the top feature most likely to attract potential first-time hearing aid wearers⁵. In 2016, Phonak released the world's first lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids and set new standards for efficiency and convenience.

With Marvel hearing aids wearers can enjoy a full day of hearing - including streaming - on a single charge. The Audéo M rechargeable hearing aid turns on automatically when taken out of the charger. Integrated LED lights and a new mini charger provide the usability people expect.

Enhancing the user experience with smart apps

With Marvel hearing aids comes the introduction of a suite of convenient smart apps. The myPhonak app allows wearers to have their hearing aids adjusted in real-time, in any situation, anywhere via video call by the hearing care professional. It also gives consumers the ability to rate their hearing aid satisfaction in various environments and directly send this feedback to their hearing care professional. Finally, the myCall-to-Text app provides live transcription of phone calls from the other party in more than 80 languages. This is an ideal solution for noisy environments, or for people who prefer additional visual captions when using the phone.

The Audéo M will be available in the U.S. beginning the end of November. The new hearing aids are also RogerDirect™ ready, meaning they can receive signals from Roger™ microphones directly and without attaching a separate receiver in the future for better understanding in noise and over distance. RogerDirect functionality will be available as a firmware upgrade in Fall 2019.

REFERENCES:

1. Legarth, S., Latzel, M., & Rodrigues, T. (2018). Media streaming: The sound quality wearers prefer. Phonak Field Study News, retrieved from www.phonakpro.com/evidence
2. Field Study News about Phonak StereoZoom in preparation, available by end of 2018 at www.phonakpro.com/evidence.
3. Winneke, A., Latzel, M., & Appleton-Huber, J. (2018). Less listening- and memory effort in noisy situations with StereoZoom. Phonak Field Study News, retrieved from www.phonakpro.com/evidence
4. Global mobile landscape 2016, eMarketer, November 2016
5. Marketrak 2015, asked of non-owners only (n=2099) – multiple responses allowed 
   

Published: 10/16/2018 10:48:00 AM

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Key to Curing SSNHL

The addition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to standard corticosteroid treatment is associated with higher rates of hearing recovery in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), according to a new study (JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018 Sep 27. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.2133). A systematic review, which included three randomized clinical trials and 16 nonrandomized studies, found that the rate of complete hearing recovery in SSNHL patients who received both HBOT and medical therapy of systemic and/or intratympanic corticosteroids was 29.4 percent, compared with 20.7 percent in those who were only treated with medications. Absolute hearing gain was also significantly greater in the HBOT and medical treatment group than in the medical treatment alone group for the overall frequencies. Furthermore, the benefit of this treatment approach was greater in those with severe to profound hearing loss.

The authors wrote that this study demonstrates for the first time to date that HBOT combined with medical treatment is associated with a significant improvement in complete hearing recovery and any hearing recovery. "Using HBOT, it is possible to maximize the oxygen partial pressure supplied to the inner ear," they wrote. "This process can minimize ischemic damage after SSNHL and aid vascular recovery. Furthermore, it can provide antibacterial effects through oxygen radicals and promote angiogenesis with tissue regeneration." 

Published: 10/12/2018 1:29:00 PM

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GSI Introduces New Tympanometer

Grason-Stadler (GSI) released its latest handheld screening tympanometer, the GSI Allegro™.

The Allegro is ready to take on any testing environment that requires tympanometry or ipsilateral acoustic reflexes. The Allegro has a four-button navigation panel, making it easy to use and easy to learn.

The Allegro comes equipped with a charging cradle, printer, and a convenient carrying case allowing for easy transport to satellite clinics and off-site community events. A fully charged battery will last for approximately eight hours of testing and the device holds up to 32 patient records. Flexible printing options include printing all tests at the end of the day or individually after each patient.

Additional features of the Allegro include auto-start and customizable user settings. With auto-start, the Allegro automatically begins recording a tympanogram as soon as the ear canal seal is obtained, allowing for quick and efficient testing even on the most challenging patients. Default test settings such as reflex frequencies may be customized on the Allegro to fit each clinic’s preferences. To learn more about the Allegro, visit www.grason-stadler.com.

Published: 10/11/2018 12:52:00 PM

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FDA Approves Marketing of First Self-Fitting Hearing Aid

The U.S. FDA approved the marketing of the first self-fitting hearing aid for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. The Bose Hearing Aid allows users to fit, adjust, and control the device without a hearing health professional. This nod came after the FDA reviewed the results of clinical studies that showed the device's self-fitting features to be comparable with professional fitting in terms of adjusting the amount of amplification, speech in noise testing, and overall performance.

"Today's marketing authorization provides certain patients with access to a new hearing aid that provides them with direct control over the fit and functionality of the device," said Malvina Eydelman, MD, director of the Division of Ophthalmic, and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health in a press release. "The FDA is committed to ensuring that individuals with hearing loss have options for taking an active role in their health care."

The Bose Hearing aid makes use of air conduction through sound vibrations that are captured in the device's microphones. It allows users to adjust the hearing aid through a mobile app, enabling them to control its features to suit real-time and real-world listening environments. Notably, the device comes with a label informing consumers when to consult a hearing health care professional.

Some states, however, may still require consumers to purchase these hearing aids from a licensed hearing aid dispenser. At present, the FDA is still drafting a set of regulations for over-the-counter hearing aids as required by the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017. These regulations are expected to be reviewed and finalized by 2020. (Read this cover story for more on OTC hearing aids and the FDA regulations.)

The Bose Hearing Aid was reviewed under the FDA's De Novo premarket regulatory pathway for new and low-to-moderate risk products for which there are no prior legally marketed device.

Published: 10/5/2018 2:39:00 PM

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Eargo Wins 2018 Medtech Insight Awards

​Eargo (https://eargo.com/) has received the Best Technology Innovation – Consumer Devices for its air conduction hearing aid Eargo Max and Best Company for Accelerated Growth at this year's Medtech Insight Awards. The judges of Medtech Insight Awards, which honor those who strive to cure, inform, minimize treatment burden, and make human lives better through medical devices and diagnostics, said Eargo has grown their team by more than 200%, brought two products to market, and is on track to launch their third-generation product by 2019. "This technology could really turnaround a difficult market where patient compliance can be a challenge due to issues with 'stigma,'" they said.

Published: 10/5/2018 11:56:00 AM

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New Canal Hearing Aids Market Report

HTF Market Intelligence has released the World Canal Hearing Aids Market study on the devices’ market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity to 2023. The market study is segmented by key regions that are accelerating the marketization, and includes key players such as William Demant, Sonova, Sivantos, GN Hearing, ReSound, Starkey, and Widex, It also categorizes the international canal hearing aid market by companies, region, type, and end-use industry. The full report is available at http://bit.ly/2NCE52E.

Published: 9/28/2018 2:30:00 PM

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New Hearing Loss and Cognitive Impairment Study Seeks Volunteers

​A new study investigating age-related hearing loss in people with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease and related dementia at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is recruiting volunteers. The two-part study is looking for participants 55 and older for laboratory-based experiments and older adults in the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) for a field study. The laboratory arm of the study will test the ability of older adults with and without early-stage cognitive impairment or dementia to understand speech in difficult listening environments, such as in the presence of white noise or other people talking. The field part of the study will be conducted at PACE centers in Springfield, West Springfield, and Worcester where older adults receive all-inclusive health care. Researchers will investigate whether people with age-related hearing loss have more negative health outcomes, such as more falls and more hospitalizations. The overall goal of the study is to identify techniques and tools to improve these individuals' ability to engage with family, caregivers, and friends and enhance their quality of life. 

Published: 9/28/2018 12:43:00 PM

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A Cure for Hearing Loss on the Horizon

​Activation of the signaling pathway that regulates the differentiation of hair cells could represent a new approach to cochlear regeneration and potentially restore hearing, a new study found (Eur J Neurosci. 2018 Sep 30. doi: 10.1111/ejn.14183. [Epub ahead of print]). Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Massachusetts Ear and Eye Infirmary hypothesized that signaling from the epidermal growth factor receptor family may play a role in cochlear regeneration. Specifically, they focused on a receptor called ERBB2, which is found in cochlear support cells. They found that activating the ERBB2 pathway triggered a cascading series of cellular events by which cochlear support cells began to proliferate and start the process of activating other neighboring stem cells to become new sensory hair cells. This process not only could impact the regeneration of sensory hair cells but also support their integration with nerve cells. The authors said their findings suggest a new model where an interplay of cell signaling regulates regeneration by endogenous stem-like cells. 

Published: 10/19/2018 11:00:00 AM

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Phonak Introduces Marvel Hearing Aids with Real-Time Support and Voice-to-Text Transcription

Phonak has launched Marvel, a revolutionary hearing aid family that combines the benefits of exceptional speech understanding and reduced listening effort in noise with the ability to stream all audio content seamlessly from iPhone, Android smartphone or billions of other Bluetooth enabled devices to both ears in stereo quality. Marvel hearing aids are rechargeable and empower consumers to benefit from remote real-time support via smart apps as well as real-time voice-to-text transcription of phone calls. It has the AutoSense OS™ 3.0 operating system which was developed with artificial intelligence to provide exceptional sound quality from the first fit, better speech understanding in noise, reduced listening effort, and rich sound experience when streaming. The Phonak Audéo™ M will be the first Marvel hearing aid to feature this breakthrough technology.

The Marvel hearing aids include the following features:

• Wearers can stream any audio content, including music, eBooks, and more to both ears from any Bluetooth device
• Built-in microphones allow completely hands-free phone conversations from both iPhone and Android devices while the conversation is heard in both ears
• Lithium-Ion rechargeable option available for a full day of hearing including streaming on a single charge
• Smart apps enable remote fine-tuning and live voice-to-text phone transcriptions
  

Sound quality

AutoSense OS 3.0 was developed using artificial intelligence, to automatically learn, detect and adapt, providing the best hearing experience in any listening environment.

With Marvel technology, AutoSense OS 3.0 can even classify streamed media. In a recent study¹, Audéo M was top-rated for quality of streaming media against five competitors. The enhanced operating system also includes Binaural VoiceStream Technology™ into Marvel hearing aids. This highly-sophisticated four-microphone technology has been proven to significantly improve speech understanding by 60%² in noisy places like restaurants while simultaneously reducing the amount of effort by 19%³ required to listen and understand.

"Audiology is at the heart of everything we do at Phonak." said Martin Grieder, Group Vice President, Hearing Instruments Marketing at Sonova. "That's why Marvel is such a game-changer for our industry. Marvel technology empowers people and provides a true "love at first sound" experience. We believe the sound quality is second to none, and it begins the moment the person puts the hearing aids on."

Stream from iOS, Android and billions of Bluetooth devices

The Android operating system accounts for 86%⁴ of all smartphones worldwide, yet until today, binaural (two-ear) streaming of phone calls, music, and other multimedia content directly to hearing aids has only been a reality for iPhone users, who only account for 13% of smartphone owners worldwide. Empowering all consumers regardless of the smartphone operating system has been a driving force behind Phonak. Audéo M is capable of direct audio streaming from virtually any smartphone around the world.

"For years, the hearing aid industry has waited for a single solution that streams phone conversations, music, and video content in stereo from both iPhone and Android devices," said Thomas Lang, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Phonak. "Today, we're proud to announce that the wait is over. Marvel technology gives wearers access to billions of Bluetooth-enabled devices, so people no longer have to think about whether their hearing aids will work with their phones or other personal electronics."

Continuing the rechargeable revolution

There are numerous benefits to not having to change tiny hearing aid batteries, not only for people with vision or dexterity challenges. In fact, rechargeable hearing aids are cited as the top feature most likely to attract potential first-time hearing aid wearers⁵. In 2016, Phonak released the world's first lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids and set new standards for efficiency and convenience.

With Marvel hearing aids wearers can enjoy a full day of hearing - including streaming - on a single charge. The Audéo M rechargeable hearing aid turns on automatically when taken out of the charger. Integrated LED lights and a new mini charger provide the usability people expect.

Enhancing the user experience with smart apps

With Marvel hearing aids comes the introduction of a suite of convenient smart apps. The myPhonak app allows wearers to have their hearing aids adjusted in real-time, in any situation, anywhere via video call by the hearing care professional. It also gives consumers the ability to rate their hearing aid satisfaction in various environments and directly send this feedback to their hearing care professional. Finally, the myCall-to-Text app provides live transcription of phone calls from the other party in more than 80 languages. This is an ideal solution for noisy environments, or for people who prefer additional visual captions when using the phone.

The Audéo M will be available in the U.S. beginning the end of November. The new hearing aids are also RogerDirect™ ready, meaning they can receive signals from Roger™ microphones directly and without attaching a separate receiver in the future for better understanding in noise and over distance. RogerDirect functionality will be available as a firmware upgrade in Fall 2019.

REFERENCES:

1. Legarth, S., Latzel, M., & Rodrigues, T. (2018). Media streaming: The sound quality wearers prefer. Phonak Field Study News, retrieved from www.phonakpro.com/evidence
2. Field Study News about Phonak StereoZoom in preparation, available by end of 2018 at www.phonakpro.com/evidence.
3. Winneke, A., Latzel, M., & Appleton-Huber, J. (2018). Less listening- and memory effort in noisy situations with StereoZoom. Phonak Field Study News, retrieved from www.phonakpro.com/evidence
4. Global mobile landscape 2016, eMarketer, November 2016
5. Marketrak 2015, asked of non-owners only (n=2099) – multiple responses allowed 
   

Published: 10/16/2018 10:48:00 AM

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Key to Curing SSNHL

The addition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to standard corticosteroid treatment is associated with higher rates of hearing recovery in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), according to a new study (JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018 Sep 27. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.2133). A systematic review, which included three randomized clinical trials and 16 nonrandomized studies, found that the rate of complete hearing recovery in SSNHL patients who received both HBOT and medical therapy of systemic and/or intratympanic corticosteroids was 29.4 percent, compared with 20.7 percent in those who were only treated with medications. Absolute hearing gain was also significantly greater in the HBOT and medical treatment group than in the medical treatment alone group for the overall frequencies. Furthermore, the benefit of this treatment approach was greater in those with severe to profound hearing loss.

The authors wrote that this study demonstrates for the first time to date that HBOT combined with medical treatment is associated with a significant improvement in complete hearing recovery and any hearing recovery. "Using HBOT, it is possible to maximize the oxygen partial pressure supplied to the inner ear," they wrote. "This process can minimize ischemic damage after SSNHL and aid vascular recovery. Furthermore, it can provide antibacterial effects through oxygen radicals and promote angiogenesis with tissue regeneration." 

Published: 10/12/2018 1:29:00 PM

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GSI Introduces New Tympanometer

Grason-Stadler (GSI) released its latest handheld screening tympanometer, the GSI Allegro™.

The Allegro is ready to take on any testing environment that requires tympanometry or ipsilateral acoustic reflexes. The Allegro has a four-button navigation panel, making it easy to use and easy to learn.

The Allegro comes equipped with a charging cradle, printer, and a convenient carrying case allowing for easy transport to satellite clinics and off-site community events. A fully charged battery will last for approximately eight hours of testing and the device holds up to 32 patient records. Flexible printing options include printing all tests at the end of the day or individually after each patient.

Additional features of the Allegro include auto-start and customizable user settings. With auto-start, the Allegro automatically begins recording a tympanogram as soon as the ear canal seal is obtained, allowing for quick and efficient testing even on the most challenging patients. Default test settings such as reflex frequencies may be customized on the Allegro to fit each clinic’s preferences. To learn more about the Allegro, visit www.grason-stadler.com.

Published: 10/11/2018 12:52:00 PM

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FDA Approves Marketing of First Self-Fitting Hearing Aid

The U.S. FDA approved the marketing of the first self-fitting hearing aid for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. The Bose Hearing Aid allows users to fit, adjust, and control the device without a hearing health professional. This nod came after the FDA reviewed the results of clinical studies that showed the device's self-fitting features to be comparable with professional fitting in terms of adjusting the amount of amplification, speech in noise testing, and overall performance.

"Today's marketing authorization provides certain patients with access to a new hearing aid that provides them with direct control over the fit and functionality of the device," said Malvina Eydelman, MD, director of the Division of Ophthalmic, and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health in a press release. "The FDA is committed to ensuring that individuals with hearing loss have options for taking an active role in their health care."

The Bose Hearing aid makes use of air conduction through sound vibrations that are captured in the device's microphones. It allows users to adjust the hearing aid through a mobile app, enabling them to control its features to suit real-time and real-world listening environments. Notably, the device comes with a label informing consumers when to consult a hearing health care professional.

Some states, however, may still require consumers to purchase these hearing aids from a licensed hearing aid dispenser. At present, the FDA is still drafting a set of regulations for over-the-counter hearing aids as required by the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017. These regulations are expected to be reviewed and finalized by 2020. (Read this cover story for more on OTC hearing aids and the FDA regulations.)

The Bose Hearing Aid was reviewed under the FDA's De Novo premarket regulatory pathway for new and low-to-moderate risk products for which there are no prior legally marketed device.

Published: 10/5/2018 2:39:00 PM

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Eargo Wins 2018 Medtech Insight Awards

​Eargo (https://eargo.com/) has received the Best Technology Innovation – Consumer Devices for its air conduction hearing aid Eargo Max and Best Company for Accelerated Growth at this year's Medtech Insight Awards. The judges of Medtech Insight Awards, which honor those who strive to cure, inform, minimize treatment burden, and make human lives better through medical devices and diagnostics, said Eargo has grown their team by more than 200%, brought two products to market, and is on track to launch their third-generation product by 2019. "This technology could really turnaround a difficult market where patient compliance can be a challenge due to issues with 'stigma,'" they said.

Published: 10/5/2018 11:56:00 AM

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New Canal Hearing Aids Market Report

HTF Market Intelligence has released the World Canal Hearing Aids Market study on the devices’ market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity to 2023. The market study is segmented by key regions that are accelerating the marketization, and includes key players such as William Demant, Sonova, Sivantos, GN Hearing, ReSound, Starkey, and Widex, It also categorizes the international canal hearing aid market by companies, region, type, and end-use industry. The full report is available at http://bit.ly/2NCE52E.

Published: 9/28/2018 2:30:00 PM

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New Hearing Loss and Cognitive Impairment Study Seeks Volunteers

​A new study investigating age-related hearing loss in people with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease and related dementia at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is recruiting volunteers. The two-part study is looking for participants 55 and older for laboratory-based experiments and older adults in the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) for a field study. The laboratory arm of the study will test the ability of older adults with and without early-stage cognitive impairment or dementia to understand speech in difficult listening environments, such as in the presence of white noise or other people talking. The field part of the study will be conducted at PACE centers in Springfield, West Springfield, and Worcester where older adults receive all-inclusive health care. Researchers will investigate whether people with age-related hearing loss have more negative health outcomes, such as more falls and more hospitalizations. The overall goal of the study is to identify techniques and tools to improve these individuals' ability to engage with family, caregivers, and friends and enhance their quality of life. 

Published: 9/28/2018 12:43:00 PM

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The effect of single-ossicle ear flexibility and eardrum cone orientation on quasi-static behavior of the chicken middle ear

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Pieter G.G. Muyshondt, Peter Aerts, Joris J.J. Dirckx

Abstract

In the single-ossicle ear of chickens, the quasi-static displacement of the umbo shows great asymmetry; umbo displacements are much larger for negative than for positive pressure in the middle ear, which is opposite to the typical asymmetry observed in mammal ears. To better understand this behavior, a finite-element model was created of the static response of the chicken middle ear. The role of flexibility of the extracolumella in the model was investigated, and the potential effect of the outward orientation of the tympanic-membrane cone was studied by building two adapted models with a flat and inverted membrane geometry. It was found that the extracolumella must be made of flexible material to explain the large inward displacements of the umbo, and that displacements of the footplate are much smaller due to bending of the flexible extracolumella. However, increasing extracolumellar stiffness mostly reduces umbo displacement rather than increasing footplate displacement. The results suggest that the inverted orientation of the membrane cone is responsible for the opposite asymmetry of the umbo displacement curve. The asymmetry of the footplate displacement was smaller, but increased towards positive middle-ear pressure in the case of a flat or inverted membrane geometry.

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DEACTIVATING COCHLEAR IMPLANT ELECTRODES TO IMPROVE SPEECH PERCEPTION: A COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Elad Sagi, Mario A. Svirsky

Abstract

A potential bottleneck to improving speech perception performance in cochlear implant (CI) users is that some of their electrodes may poorly encode speech information. Several studies have examined the effect of deactivating poorly encoding electrodes on speech perception with mixed results. Many of these studies focused on identifying poorly encoding electrodes by some measure (e.g. electrode discrimination, pitch ordering, threshold, CT-guided, masked modulation detection), but provide inconsistent criteria about which electrodes, and how many, should be deactivated, and without considering how speech information becomes distributed across the electrode array. The present simulation study addresses this issue using computational approaches. Previously validated models were used to generate predictions of speech scores as a function of all possible combinations of active electrodes in a 22-electrode array in three groups of hypothetical subjects representative of relatively better, moderate, and poorer performing CI users. Using high-performance computing, over 500 million predictions were generated. Although deactivation of the poorest encoding electrodes sometimes resulted in predicted benefit, this benefit was significantly less relative to predictions resulting from model-optimized deactivations. This trend persisted when using novel stimuli (i.e. other than those used for optimization) and when using different processing strategies. Optimum electrode deactivation patterns produced an average predicted increase in word scores of 10% with some scores increasing by more than 20%. Optimum electrode deactivation patterns typically included 11 to 19 (out of 22) active electrodes, depending on the performance group. Optimal active electrode combinations were those that maximized discrimination of speech cues, maintaining 80% to 100% of the physical span of the array. The present study demonstrates the potential for further improving CI users’ speech scores with appropriate selection of active electrodes.

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Spectrotemporal window of binaural integration in auditory object formation

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): I-Hui Hsieh, Jia-Wei Liu, Jeng-Jie Liang

Abstract

Binaural integration of interaural temporal information is essential for sound source localization and segregation. Current models of binaural interaction have shown that accurate sound localization in the horizontal plane depends on the resolution of phase ambiguous information by across-frequency integration. However, as such models are mostly static, it is not clear how proximate in time binaural events in different frequency channels should occur to form an auditory object with a unique lateral position. The present study examined the spectrotemporal window required for effective integration of binaural cues across frequency to form the perception of a stationary position. In Experiment 1, listeners judged whether dichotic frequency-modulated (FM) sweeps with a constant large nominal interaural delay (1500 μs), whose perceived laterality was ambiguous depending on the sweep rate (1500, 3000, 6000, and 12,000 Hz/s), produced a percept of continuous motion or a stationary image. Motion detection performance, indexed by d-prime (d') values, showed a clear effect of sweep rate, with auditory motion effects most pronounced for low sweep rates, and a punctate stationary image at high rates. Experiment 2 examined the effect of modulation rate (0.5, 3, 20, and 50 Hz) on lateralizing sinusoidally frequency-modulated (SFM) tones to confirm the effect of sweep rate on motion detection, independent of signal duration. Lateralization accuracy increased with increasing modulation rate up to 20 Hz and saturated at 50 Hz, with poorest performance occurring below 3 Hz depending on modulator phase. Using the transition point where percepts changed from motion to stationary images, we estimated a spectrotemporal integration window of approximately 150 ms per octave required for effective integration of interaural temporal cues across frequency channels. A Monte Carlo simulation based on a cross-correlation model of binaural interaction predicted 90% of the variance on perceptual motion detection performance as a function of FM sweep rate. Findings suggest that the rate of frequency channel convergence of binaural cues is essential to binaural lateralization.

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The effect of single-ossicle ear flexibility and eardrum cone orientation on quasi-static behavior of the chicken middle ear

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Pieter G.G. Muyshondt, Peter Aerts, Joris J.J. Dirckx

Abstract

In the single-ossicle ear of chickens, the quasi-static displacement of the umbo shows great asymmetry; umbo displacements are much larger for negative than for positive pressure in the middle ear, which is opposite to the typical asymmetry observed in mammal ears. To better understand this behavior, a finite-element model was created of the static response of the chicken middle ear. The role of flexibility of the extracolumella in the model was investigated, and the potential effect of the outward orientation of the tympanic-membrane cone was studied by building two adapted models with a flat and inverted membrane geometry. It was found that the extracolumella must be made of flexible material to explain the large inward displacements of the umbo, and that displacements of the footplate are much smaller due to bending of the flexible extracolumella. However, increasing extracolumellar stiffness mostly reduces umbo displacement rather than increasing footplate displacement. The results suggest that the inverted orientation of the membrane cone is responsible for the opposite asymmetry of the umbo displacement curve. The asymmetry of the footplate displacement was smaller, but increased towards positive middle-ear pressure in the case of a flat or inverted membrane geometry.

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DEACTIVATING COCHLEAR IMPLANT ELECTRODES TO IMPROVE SPEECH PERCEPTION: A COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Elad Sagi, Mario A. Svirsky

Abstract

A potential bottleneck to improving speech perception performance in cochlear implant (CI) users is that some of their electrodes may poorly encode speech information. Several studies have examined the effect of deactivating poorly encoding electrodes on speech perception with mixed results. Many of these studies focused on identifying poorly encoding electrodes by some measure (e.g. electrode discrimination, pitch ordering, threshold, CT-guided, masked modulation detection), but provide inconsistent criteria about which electrodes, and how many, should be deactivated, and without considering how speech information becomes distributed across the electrode array. The present simulation study addresses this issue using computational approaches. Previously validated models were used to generate predictions of speech scores as a function of all possible combinations of active electrodes in a 22-electrode array in three groups of hypothetical subjects representative of relatively better, moderate, and poorer performing CI users. Using high-performance computing, over 500 million predictions were generated. Although deactivation of the poorest encoding electrodes sometimes resulted in predicted benefit, this benefit was significantly less relative to predictions resulting from model-optimized deactivations. This trend persisted when using novel stimuli (i.e. other than those used for optimization) and when using different processing strategies. Optimum electrode deactivation patterns produced an average predicted increase in word scores of 10% with some scores increasing by more than 20%. Optimum electrode deactivation patterns typically included 11 to 19 (out of 22) active electrodes, depending on the performance group. Optimal active electrode combinations were those that maximized discrimination of speech cues, maintaining 80% to 100% of the physical span of the array. The present study demonstrates the potential for further improving CI users’ speech scores with appropriate selection of active electrodes.

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Spectrotemporal window of binaural integration in auditory object formation

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): I-Hui Hsieh, Jia-Wei Liu, Jeng-Jie Liang

Abstract

Binaural integration of interaural temporal information is essential for sound source localization and segregation. Current models of binaural interaction have shown that accurate sound localization in the horizontal plane depends on the resolution of phase ambiguous information by across-frequency integration. However, as such models are mostly static, it is not clear how proximate in time binaural events in different frequency channels should occur to form an auditory object with a unique lateral position. The present study examined the spectrotemporal window required for effective integration of binaural cues across frequency to form the perception of a stationary position. In Experiment 1, listeners judged whether dichotic frequency-modulated (FM) sweeps with a constant large nominal interaural delay (1500 μs), whose perceived laterality was ambiguous depending on the sweep rate (1500, 3000, 6000, and 12,000 Hz/s), produced a percept of continuous motion or a stationary image. Motion detection performance, indexed by d-prime (d') values, showed a clear effect of sweep rate, with auditory motion effects most pronounced for low sweep rates, and a punctate stationary image at high rates. Experiment 2 examined the effect of modulation rate (0.5, 3, 20, and 50 Hz) on lateralizing sinusoidally frequency-modulated (SFM) tones to confirm the effect of sweep rate on motion detection, independent of signal duration. Lateralization accuracy increased with increasing modulation rate up to 20 Hz and saturated at 50 Hz, with poorest performance occurring below 3 Hz depending on modulator phase. Using the transition point where percepts changed from motion to stationary images, we estimated a spectrotemporal integration window of approximately 150 ms per octave required for effective integration of interaural temporal cues across frequency channels. A Monte Carlo simulation based on a cross-correlation model of binaural interaction predicted 90% of the variance on perceptual motion detection performance as a function of FM sweep rate. Findings suggest that the rate of frequency channel convergence of binaural cues is essential to binaural lateralization.

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The effect of single-ossicle ear flexibility and eardrum cone orientation on quasi-static behavior of the chicken middle ear

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Pieter G.G. Muyshondt, Peter Aerts, Joris J.J. Dirckx

Abstract

In the single-ossicle ear of chickens, the quasi-static displacement of the umbo shows great asymmetry; umbo displacements are much larger for negative than for positive pressure in the middle ear, which is opposite to the typical asymmetry observed in mammal ears. To better understand this behavior, a finite-element model was created of the static response of the chicken middle ear. The role of flexibility of the extracolumella in the model was investigated, and the potential effect of the outward orientation of the tympanic-membrane cone was studied by building two adapted models with a flat and inverted membrane geometry. It was found that the extracolumella must be made of flexible material to explain the large inward displacements of the umbo, and that displacements of the footplate are much smaller due to bending of the flexible extracolumella. However, increasing extracolumellar stiffness mostly reduces umbo displacement rather than increasing footplate displacement. The results suggest that the inverted orientation of the membrane cone is responsible for the opposite asymmetry of the umbo displacement curve. The asymmetry of the footplate displacement was smaller, but increased towards positive middle-ear pressure in the case of a flat or inverted membrane geometry.

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DEACTIVATING COCHLEAR IMPLANT ELECTRODES TO IMPROVE SPEECH PERCEPTION: A COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Elad Sagi, Mario A. Svirsky

Abstract

A potential bottleneck to improving speech perception performance in cochlear implant (CI) users is that some of their electrodes may poorly encode speech information. Several studies have examined the effect of deactivating poorly encoding electrodes on speech perception with mixed results. Many of these studies focused on identifying poorly encoding electrodes by some measure (e.g. electrode discrimination, pitch ordering, threshold, CT-guided, masked modulation detection), but provide inconsistent criteria about which electrodes, and how many, should be deactivated, and without considering how speech information becomes distributed across the electrode array. The present simulation study addresses this issue using computational approaches. Previously validated models were used to generate predictions of speech scores as a function of all possible combinations of active electrodes in a 22-electrode array in three groups of hypothetical subjects representative of relatively better, moderate, and poorer performing CI users. Using high-performance computing, over 500 million predictions were generated. Although deactivation of the poorest encoding electrodes sometimes resulted in predicted benefit, this benefit was significantly less relative to predictions resulting from model-optimized deactivations. This trend persisted when using novel stimuli (i.e. other than those used for optimization) and when using different processing strategies. Optimum electrode deactivation patterns produced an average predicted increase in word scores of 10% with some scores increasing by more than 20%. Optimum electrode deactivation patterns typically included 11 to 19 (out of 22) active electrodes, depending on the performance group. Optimal active electrode combinations were those that maximized discrimination of speech cues, maintaining 80% to 100% of the physical span of the array. The present study demonstrates the potential for further improving CI users’ speech scores with appropriate selection of active electrodes.

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Spectrotemporal window of binaural integration in auditory object formation

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): I-Hui Hsieh, Jia-Wei Liu, Jeng-Jie Liang

Abstract

Binaural integration of interaural temporal information is essential for sound source localization and segregation. Current models of binaural interaction have shown that accurate sound localization in the horizontal plane depends on the resolution of phase ambiguous information by across-frequency integration. However, as such models are mostly static, it is not clear how proximate in time binaural events in different frequency channels should occur to form an auditory object with a unique lateral position. The present study examined the spectrotemporal window required for effective integration of binaural cues across frequency to form the perception of a stationary position. In Experiment 1, listeners judged whether dichotic frequency-modulated (FM) sweeps with a constant large nominal interaural delay (1500 μs), whose perceived laterality was ambiguous depending on the sweep rate (1500, 3000, 6000, and 12,000 Hz/s), produced a percept of continuous motion or a stationary image. Motion detection performance, indexed by d-prime (d') values, showed a clear effect of sweep rate, with auditory motion effects most pronounced for low sweep rates, and a punctate stationary image at high rates. Experiment 2 examined the effect of modulation rate (0.5, 3, 20, and 50 Hz) on lateralizing sinusoidally frequency-modulated (SFM) tones to confirm the effect of sweep rate on motion detection, independent of signal duration. Lateralization accuracy increased with increasing modulation rate up to 20 Hz and saturated at 50 Hz, with poorest performance occurring below 3 Hz depending on modulator phase. Using the transition point where percepts changed from motion to stationary images, we estimated a spectrotemporal integration window of approximately 150 ms per octave required for effective integration of interaural temporal cues across frequency channels. A Monte Carlo simulation based on a cross-correlation model of binaural interaction predicted 90% of the variance on perceptual motion detection performance as a function of FM sweep rate. Findings suggest that the rate of frequency channel convergence of binaural cues is essential to binaural lateralization.

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The effect of single-ossicle ear flexibility and eardrum cone orientation on quasi-static behavior of the chicken middle ear

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Pieter G.G. Muyshondt, Peter Aerts, Joris J.J. Dirckx

Abstract

In the single-ossicle ear of chickens, the quasi-static displacement of the umbo shows great asymmetry; umbo displacements are much larger for negative than for positive pressure in the middle ear, which is opposite to the typical asymmetry observed in mammal ears. To better understand this behavior, a finite-element model was created of the static response of the chicken middle ear. The role of flexibility of the extracolumella in the model was investigated, and the potential effect of the outward orientation of the tympanic-membrane cone was studied by building two adapted models with a flat and inverted membrane geometry. It was found that the extracolumella must be made of flexible material to explain the large inward displacements of the umbo, and that displacements of the footplate are much smaller due to bending of the flexible extracolumella. However, increasing extracolumellar stiffness mostly reduces umbo displacement rather than increasing footplate displacement. The results suggest that the inverted orientation of the membrane cone is responsible for the opposite asymmetry of the umbo displacement curve. The asymmetry of the footplate displacement was smaller, but increased towards positive middle-ear pressure in the case of a flat or inverted membrane geometry.

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DEACTIVATING COCHLEAR IMPLANT ELECTRODES TO IMPROVE SPEECH PERCEPTION: A COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Elad Sagi, Mario A. Svirsky

Abstract

A potential bottleneck to improving speech perception performance in cochlear implant (CI) users is that some of their electrodes may poorly encode speech information. Several studies have examined the effect of deactivating poorly encoding electrodes on speech perception with mixed results. Many of these studies focused on identifying poorly encoding electrodes by some measure (e.g. electrode discrimination, pitch ordering, threshold, CT-guided, masked modulation detection), but provide inconsistent criteria about which electrodes, and how many, should be deactivated, and without considering how speech information becomes distributed across the electrode array. The present simulation study addresses this issue using computational approaches. Previously validated models were used to generate predictions of speech scores as a function of all possible combinations of active electrodes in a 22-electrode array in three groups of hypothetical subjects representative of relatively better, moderate, and poorer performing CI users. Using high-performance computing, over 500 million predictions were generated. Although deactivation of the poorest encoding electrodes sometimes resulted in predicted benefit, this benefit was significantly less relative to predictions resulting from model-optimized deactivations. This trend persisted when using novel stimuli (i.e. other than those used for optimization) and when using different processing strategies. Optimum electrode deactivation patterns produced an average predicted increase in word scores of 10% with some scores increasing by more than 20%. Optimum electrode deactivation patterns typically included 11 to 19 (out of 22) active electrodes, depending on the performance group. Optimal active electrode combinations were those that maximized discrimination of speech cues, maintaining 80% to 100% of the physical span of the array. The present study demonstrates the potential for further improving CI users’ speech scores with appropriate selection of active electrodes.

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Spectrotemporal window of binaural integration in auditory object formation

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): I-Hui Hsieh, Jia-Wei Liu, Jeng-Jie Liang

Abstract

Binaural integration of interaural temporal information is essential for sound source localization and segregation. Current models of binaural interaction have shown that accurate sound localization in the horizontal plane depends on the resolution of phase ambiguous information by across-frequency integration. However, as such models are mostly static, it is not clear how proximate in time binaural events in different frequency channels should occur to form an auditory object with a unique lateral position. The present study examined the spectrotemporal window required for effective integration of binaural cues across frequency to form the perception of a stationary position. In Experiment 1, listeners judged whether dichotic frequency-modulated (FM) sweeps with a constant large nominal interaural delay (1500 μs), whose perceived laterality was ambiguous depending on the sweep rate (1500, 3000, 6000, and 12,000 Hz/s), produced a percept of continuous motion or a stationary image. Motion detection performance, indexed by d-prime (d') values, showed a clear effect of sweep rate, with auditory motion effects most pronounced for low sweep rates, and a punctate stationary image at high rates. Experiment 2 examined the effect of modulation rate (0.5, 3, 20, and 50 Hz) on lateralizing sinusoidally frequency-modulated (SFM) tones to confirm the effect of sweep rate on motion detection, independent of signal duration. Lateralization accuracy increased with increasing modulation rate up to 20 Hz and saturated at 50 Hz, with poorest performance occurring below 3 Hz depending on modulator phase. Using the transition point where percepts changed from motion to stationary images, we estimated a spectrotemporal integration window of approximately 150 ms per octave required for effective integration of interaural temporal cues across frequency channels. A Monte Carlo simulation based on a cross-correlation model of binaural interaction predicted 90% of the variance on perceptual motion detection performance as a function of FM sweep rate. Findings suggest that the rate of frequency channel convergence of binaural cues is essential to binaural lateralization.

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Influence of thoracic posture on scapulothoracic and glenohumeral motions during eccentric shoulder external rotation

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Yusuke Suzuki, Takayuki Muraki, Yusuke Sekiguchi, Hiroaki Ishikawa, Haruki Yaguchi, Yutaro Suzuki, Shuhe Morise, Keita Honda, Shin-Ichi Izumi

Abstract

Background

Throwing injuries to the shoulder joint often occur during shoulder external rotation. An appropriate combination of thoracic, scapular, and humeral motion during throwing is important to prevent such injuries, but it is unclear how thoracic posture contributes to shoulder motion during throwing.

Research question: The purpose of this study, therefore, was to clarify the influence of thoracic posture on scapulothoracic and glenohumeral motion during shoulder external rotation.

Methods

Eccentric external rotation at 90° of shoulder abduction in thoracic flexion and extension postures was performed by 15 asymptomatic participants. Three-dimensional scapulothoracic and glenohumeral movements were measured with an electromagnetic tracking device at 75°, 80°, 85°, and maximum shoulder external rotation. The thoracic angle and maximum shoulder external rotation in absolute coordination were measured with a three-dimensional motion capture system.

Results

The results showed that scapular posterior tilting and external rotation in the thoracic extension posture were significantly greater than those in the flexion posture (p < .05). Glenohumeral horizontal extension was significantly less in the thoracic extension posture than in the flexion posture (p < .05), whereas maximum shoulder external rotation was significantly greater (p < .01). Thus, thoracic extension increased scapulothoracic posterior tilting and external rotation and reduced glenohumeral horizontal extension during shoulder external rotation, as well as increasing maximum shoulder external rotation.

Significance

These findings suggest that thoracic extension may contribute to reduction of mechanical demand in the glenohumeral joint during throwing, potentially reducing shoulder injuries.

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Putting proprioception for balance to the test: Contrasting and combining sway referencing and tendon vibration

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Michail Doumas, Theofilos Ch. Valkanidis, Vassilia Hatzitaki

Abstract

Background

Postural control relies on sensory information from visual, vestibular and proprioceptive channels, with proprioception being the key sensory modality in this task. Two well-established ways of manipulating proprioceptive information in postural control are tendon vibration and sway referencing. The aim of the present study was to assess postural adaptation when inaccurate proprioceptive information is introduced using tendon vibration and sway referencing in isolation and combination.

Methods

Seventeen young adults were asked to stand, without vision, for 2 minutes on a fixed surface (Baseline) immediately followed by 3 minutes of bilateral Achilles tendon vibration, sway reference, or combined presentation of the two manipulations (Adaptation) and finally 3 minutes of standing on a fixed surface (Aftereffect).

Results

During adaptation, vibration showed the lowest sway variability, followed by sway reference and the combined condition. Spectral analyses focusing on the dominant frequencies in this task (0-0.4 Hz) showed that in the first half of adaptation sway amplitude was greater when the two manipulations were combined compared with each manipulation alone. However, in the second half differences between sway reference and the combined condition disappeared but differences between vibration and the other two conditions increased.

Conclusion

We interpret these findings primarily as due to a prolonged attenuation in effects of vibration over the course of the adaptation phase and we offer two explanations for this phenomenon. One is a decline in neurotransmitter release from the group Ia terminals and the other is sensory reweighting which down-weights proprioception and up-weights the accurate, vestibular information.

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Visual scanning behavior during distracted walking in healthy young adults

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Jody A. Feld, Prudence Plummer

Abstract

Background

An epidemic of pedestrian accidents when walking while texting suggests that people are less aware of their surroundings during distracted walking, and highlights the importance of visual scanning for pedestrian safety. Quantitative examination of visual scanning during distracted walking is still lacking.

Research Question

Is visual scanning behavior altered by distracted walking in healthy young adults?

Methods

We compared visual scanning behavior in 20 young adults during usual (single-task) walking, walking while performing a letter-fluency task, and walking while texting. Visual scanning behavior was measured by fixation count and dwell time percentage in specific areas of interest. Dual-task effects on gait speed, letter fluency, texting speed and accuracy, and situational awareness were also examined.

Result

Visual scanning behavior differed between the three walking conditions. During dual-task letter fluency, participants had significantly more non-walking path fixations than either of the other two conditions (i.e., more frequent, broader visual scanning). Conversely, during dual-task texting, gaze was focused predominantly on the phone, with little visual scanning of the walking path and surrounding environment. When walking without texting or talking, gaze was directed equally to far walking path and surrounding environment.

Significance

Texting while walking is associated with a considerable reduction in overt visual attention to the walking path and surrounding areas. Whether this translates to reduced conscious awareness of environmental stimuli remains unclear. Performing a verbal task while walking was associated with more frequent, wider visual scanning behavior, which may be specific to the nature of the verbal task in this study.

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Influence of thoracic posture on scapulothoracic and glenohumeral motions during eccentric shoulder external rotation

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Yusuke Suzuki, Takayuki Muraki, Yusuke Sekiguchi, Hiroaki Ishikawa, Haruki Yaguchi, Yutaro Suzuki, Shuhe Morise, Keita Honda, Shin-Ichi Izumi

Abstract

Background

Throwing injuries to the shoulder joint often occur during shoulder external rotation. An appropriate combination of thoracic, scapular, and humeral motion during throwing is important to prevent such injuries, but it is unclear how thoracic posture contributes to shoulder motion during throwing.

Research question: The purpose of this study, therefore, was to clarify the influence of thoracic posture on scapulothoracic and glenohumeral motion during shoulder external rotation.

Methods

Eccentric external rotation at 90° of shoulder abduction in thoracic flexion and extension postures was performed by 15 asymptomatic participants. Three-dimensional scapulothoracic and glenohumeral movements were measured with an electromagnetic tracking device at 75°, 80°, 85°, and maximum shoulder external rotation. The thoracic angle and maximum shoulder external rotation in absolute coordination were measured with a three-dimensional motion capture system.

Results

The results showed that scapular posterior tilting and external rotation in the thoracic extension posture were significantly greater than those in the flexion posture (p < .05). Glenohumeral horizontal extension was significantly less in the thoracic extension posture than in the flexion posture (p < .05), whereas maximum shoulder external rotation was significantly greater (p < .01). Thus, thoracic extension increased scapulothoracic posterior tilting and external rotation and reduced glenohumeral horizontal extension during shoulder external rotation, as well as increasing maximum shoulder external rotation.

Significance

These findings suggest that thoracic extension may contribute to reduction of mechanical demand in the glenohumeral joint during throwing, potentially reducing shoulder injuries.

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Putting proprioception for balance to the test: Contrasting and combining sway referencing and tendon vibration

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Michail Doumas, Theofilos Ch. Valkanidis, Vassilia Hatzitaki

Abstract

Background

Postural control relies on sensory information from visual, vestibular and proprioceptive channels, with proprioception being the key sensory modality in this task. Two well-established ways of manipulating proprioceptive information in postural control are tendon vibration and sway referencing. The aim of the present study was to assess postural adaptation when inaccurate proprioceptive information is introduced using tendon vibration and sway referencing in isolation and combination.

Methods

Seventeen young adults were asked to stand, without vision, for 2 minutes on a fixed surface (Baseline) immediately followed by 3 minutes of bilateral Achilles tendon vibration, sway reference, or combined presentation of the two manipulations (Adaptation) and finally 3 minutes of standing on a fixed surface (Aftereffect).

Results

During adaptation, vibration showed the lowest sway variability, followed by sway reference and the combined condition. Spectral analyses focusing on the dominant frequencies in this task (0-0.4 Hz) showed that in the first half of adaptation sway amplitude was greater when the two manipulations were combined compared with each manipulation alone. However, in the second half differences between sway reference and the combined condition disappeared but differences between vibration and the other two conditions increased.

Conclusion

We interpret these findings primarily as due to a prolonged attenuation in effects of vibration over the course of the adaptation phase and we offer two explanations for this phenomenon. One is a decline in neurotransmitter release from the group Ia terminals and the other is sensory reweighting which down-weights proprioception and up-weights the accurate, vestibular information.

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via IFTTT

Visual scanning behavior during distracted walking in healthy young adults

Publication date: Available online 19 October 2018

Source: Gait & Posture

Author(s): Jody A. Feld, Prudence Plummer

Abstract

Background

An epidemic of pedestrian accidents when walking while texting suggests that people are less aware of their surroundings during distracted walking, and highlights the importance of visual scanning for pedestrian safety. Quantitative examination of visual scanning during distracted walking is still lacking.

Research Question

Is visual scanning behavior altered by distracted walking in healthy young adults?

Methods

We compared visual scanning behavior in 20 young adults during usual (single-task) walking, walking while performing a letter-fluency task, and walking while texting. Visual scanning behavior was measured by fixation count and dwell time percentage in specific areas of interest. Dual-task effects on gait speed, letter fluency, texting speed and accuracy, and situational awareness were also examined.

Result

Visual scanning behavior differed between the three walking conditions. During dual-task letter fluency, participants had significantly more non-walking path fixations than either of the other two conditions (i.e., more frequent, broader visual scanning). Conversely, during dual-task texting, gaze was focused predominantly on the phone, with little visual scanning of the walking path and surrounding environment. When walking without texting or talking, gaze was directed equally to far walking path and surrounding environment.

Significance

Texting while walking is associated with a considerable reduction in overt visual attention to the walking path and surrounding areas. Whether this translates to reduced conscious awareness of environmental stimuli remains unclear. Performing a verbal task while walking was associated with more frequent, wider visual scanning behavior, which may be specific to the nature of the verbal task in this study.

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