Echo detection and target-ranging neurons in the auditory system of the bat Eptesicus fuscus

Purpose The effects of neurological diseases on the auditory system have been a notable issue for investigators because the auditory pathway is closely associated with neural systems. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the efferent auditory system function and hearing quality in Parkinson's disease (PD) and to compare the findings with age-matched individuals without PD to present a perspective on aging. Method The study included 35 individuals with PD (mean age of 48.50 ± 8.00 years) and 35 normal-hearing peers (mean age of 49 ± 10 years). The following tests were administered for all participants: the first section of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale; pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflexes; and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and contralateral suppression of DPOAEs. SPSS Version 25 was used for statistical analyses, and values of p < .05 were considered statistically significant. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the pure-tone audiometry thresholds and DPOAE responses between the individuals with PD and their normal-hearing peers ( p = .732). However, statistically significant differences were found between the groups in suppression levels of DPOAEs and hearing quality ( p < .05). In addition, a statistically significant and positive correlation was found between the amount of suppression at some frequencies and the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale scores. Conclusions This study indicates that medial olivocochlear efferent system function and the hearing quality of individuals with PD were affected adversely due to the results of PD pathophysiology on the hearing system. For optimal intervention and follow-up, tasks related to hearing quality in daily life can also be added to therapies for PD.

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The Evolution of the Auditory System: A Tutorial

Contemporary Issues in Communication Science and Disorders ◽

10.1044/cicsd_32_s_5 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 32 (Spring) ◽

pp. 5-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Elizabeth Hester

Keyword(s):

Auditory System ◽

System A

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Influence of the Acoustic Reflex on Vowel Recognition

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/jshr.2903.420 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 420-424 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Michael Dorman ◽

Ingrid Cedar ◽

Maureen Hannley ◽

Marjorie Leek ◽

Julie Mapes Lindholm

Keyword(s):

Auditory System ◽

Sound Pressure ◽

Dynamic Range ◽

Recognition Accuracy ◽

Pressure Level ◽

Acoustic Reflex ◽

The Poor ◽

Stapedial Reflex ◽

Vowel Recognition ◽

High Sound

Computer synthesized vowels of 50- and 300-ms duration were presented to normal-hearing listeners at a moderate and high sound pressure level (SPL). Presentation at the high SPL resulted in poor recognition accuracy for vowels of a duration (50 ms) shorter than the latency of the acoustic stapedial reflex. Presentation level had no effect on recognition accuracy for vowels of sufficient duration (300 ms) to elicit the reflex. The poor recognition accuracy for the brief, high intensity vowels was significantly improved when the reflex was preactivated. These results demonstrate the importance of the acoustic reflex in extending the dynamic range of the auditory system for speech recognition.

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