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Pérez-Valenzuela C, Vicencio-Jiménez S, Caballero M, Delano PH, Elgueda D. Wireless electrocochleography in awake chinchillas: A model to study crossmodal modulations at the peripheral level. Hear Res 2024; 451:109093. [PMID: 39094370 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
The discovery and development of electrocochleography (ECochG) in animal models has been fundamental for its implementation in clinical audiology and neurotology. In our laboratory, the use of round-window ECochG recordings in chinchillas has allowed a better understanding of auditory efferent functioning. In previous works, we gave evidence of the corticofugal modulation of auditory-nerve and cochlear responses during visual attention and working memory. However, whether these cognitive top-down mechanisms to the most peripheral structures of the auditory pathway are also active during audiovisual crossmodal stimulation is unknown. Here, we introduce a new technique, wireless ECochG to record compound-action potentials of the auditory nerve (CAP), cochlear microphonics (CM), and round-window noise (RWN) in awake chinchillas during a paradigm of crossmodal (visual and auditory) stimulation. We compared ECochG data obtained from four awake chinchillas recorded with a wireless ECochG system with wired ECochG recordings from six anesthetized animals. Although ECochG experiments with the wireless system had a lower signal-to-noise ratio than wired recordings, their quality was sufficient to compare ECochG potentials in awake crossmodal conditions. We found non-significant differences in CAP and CM amplitudes in response to audiovisual stimulation compared to auditory stimulation alone (clicks and tones). On the other hand, spontaneous auditory-nerve activity (RWN) was modulated by visual crossmodal stimulation, suggesting that visual crossmodal simulation can modulate spontaneous but not evoked auditory-nerve activity. However, given the limited sample of 10 animals (4 wireless and 6 wired), these results should be interpreted cautiously. Future experiments are required to substantiate these conclusions. In addition, we introduce the use of wireless ECochG in animal models as a useful tool for translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sergio Vicencio-Jiménez
- Departamento de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mia Caballero
- Departamento de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paul H Delano
- Departamento de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Servicio Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Centro Avanzado de Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica, AC3E, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile; Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego Elgueda
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile 8820808, Santiago, Chile.
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Mertes IB. Associations between the medial olivocochlear reflex, middle-ear muscle reflex, and sentence-in-noise recognition using steady and pulsed noise elicitors. Hear Res 2024; 453:109108. [PMID: 39244840 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
The middle-ear muscle reflex (MEMR) and medial olivocochlear reflex (MOCR) modify peripheral auditory function, which may reduce masking and improve speech-in-noise (SIN) recognition. Previous work and our pilot data suggest that the two reflexes respond differently to static versus dynamic noise elicitors. However, little is known about how the two reflexes work in tandem to contribute to SIN recognition. We hypothesized that SIN recognition would be significantly correlated with the strength of the MEMR and with the strength of the MOCR. Additionally, we hypothesized that SIN recognition would be best when both reflexes were activated. A total of 43 healthy, normal-hearing adults met the inclusion/exclusion criteria (35 females, age range: 19-29 years). MEMR strength was assessed using wideband absorbance. MOCR strength was assessed using transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions. SIN recognition was assessed using a modified version of the QuickSIN. All measurements were made with and without two types of contralateral noise elicitors (steady and pulsed) at two levels (50 and 65 dB SPL). Steady noise was used to primarily elicit the MOCR and pulsed noise was used to elicit both reflexes. Two baseline conditions without a contralateral elicitor were also obtained. Results revealed differences in how the MEMR and MOCR responded to elicitor type and level. Contrary to hypotheses, SIN recognition was not significantly improved in the presence of any contralateral elicitors relative to the baseline conditions. Additionally, there were no significant correlations between MEMR strength and SIN recognition, or between MOCR strength and SIN recognition. MEMR and MOCR strength were significantly correlated for pulsed noise elicitors but not steady noise elicitors. Results suggest no association between SIN recognition and the MEMR or MOCR, at least as measured and analyzed in this study. SIN recognition may have been influenced by factors not accounted for in this study, such as contextual cues, warranting further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian B Mertes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, 901 South Sixth Street, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign 61820 IL, USA.
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Goodman SS, Haysley S, Jennings SG. Human Olivocochlear Effects: A Statistical Detection Approach Applied to the Cochlear Microphonic Evoked by Swept Tones. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2024:10.1007/s10162-024-00956-z. [PMID: 38954166 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-024-00956-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The human medial olivocochlear (MOC) reflex was assessed by observing the effects of contralateral acoustic stimulation (CAS) on the cochlear microphonic (CM) across a range of probe frequencies. A frequency-swept probe tone (125-4757 Hz, 90 dB SPL) was presented in two directions (up sweep and down sweep) to normal-hearing young adults. This study assessed MOC effects on the CM in individual participants using a statistical approach that calculated minimum detectable changes in magnitude and phase based on CM signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Significant increases in CM magnitude, typically 1-2 dB in size, were observed for most participants from 354 to 1414 Hz, where the size and consistency of these effects depended on participant, probe frequency, sweep direction, and SNR. CAS-related phase lags were also observed, consistent with CM-based MOC studies in laboratory animals. Observed effects on CM magnitude and phase were in the opposite directions of reported effects on otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). OAEs are sensitive to changes in the motility of outer hair cells located near the peak region of the traveling wave, while the effects of CAS on the CM likely originate from MOC-related changes in the conductance of outer hair cells located in the basal tail of the traveling wave. Thus, MOC effects on the CM are complementary to those observed for OAEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn S Goodman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sarah Haysley
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Skyler G Jennings
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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Faubion SL, Park RK, Lichtenhan JT, Jennings SG. Effects of contralateral noise on envelope-following responses, auditory-nerve compound action potentials, and otoacoustic emissions measured simultaneously. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 155:1813-1824. [PMID: 38445988 PMCID: PMC10919957 DOI: 10.1121/10.0025137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
This study assessed whether the effects of contralateral acoustic stimulation (CAS) are consistent with eliciting the medial olivocochlear (MOC) reflex for measurements sensitive to outer hair cell (otoacoustic emissions, OAEs), auditory-nerve (AN; compound action potential, CAP), and brainstem/cortical (envelope-following response, EFR) function. The effects of CAS were evaluated for simultaneous measurement of OAEs, CAPs, and EFRs in participants with normal hearing. Clicks were presented at 40 or 98 Hz in three ipsilateral noise conditions (no noise, 45 dB SPL, and 55 dB SPL). For the no noise condition, CAS suppressed or enhanced EFR amplitudes for 40- and 98-Hz clicks, respectively, while CAS had no significant effect on CAP amplitudes. A follow-up experiment using slower rates (4.4-22.2 Hz) assessed whether this insignificant CAS effect on CAPs was from ipsilateral MOC stimulation or AN adaptation; however, CAS effects remained insignificant despite favorable signal-to-noise ratios. CAS-related enhancements of EFR and CAP amplitudes in ipsilateral noise were not observed, contrary to the anti-masking effect of the MOC reflex. EFR and OAE suppression from CAS were not significantly correlated. Thus, the effects of CAS on EFRs may not be solely mediated by the MOC reflex and may be partially mediated by higher auditory centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby L Faubion
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Utah, 390 South, 1530 East, BEHS 1201, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Ryan K Park
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Utah, 390 South, 1530 East, BEHS 1201, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Jeffery T Lichtenhan
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
| | - Skyler G Jennings
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Utah, 390 South, 1530 East, BEHS 1201, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
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Gafoor SA, Uppunda AK. Speech Perception in Noise and Medial Olivocochlear Reflex: Effects of Age, Speech Stimulus, and Response-Related Variables. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2023; 24:619-631. [PMID: 38079021 PMCID: PMC10752852 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-023-00919-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The role of the medial olivocochlear system in speech perception in noise has been debated over the years, with studies showing mixed results. One possible reason for this could be the dependence of this relationship on the parameters used in assessing the speech perception ability (age, stimulus, and response-related variables). METHODS The current study assessed the influence of the type of speech stimuli (monosyllables, words, and sentences), the signal-to-noise ratio (+5, 0, -5, and -10 dB), the metric used to quantify the speech perception ability (percent-correct, SNR-50, and slope of the psychometric function) and age (young vs old) on the relationship between medial olivocochlear reflex (quantified by contralateral inhibition of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions) and speech perception in noise. RESULTS A linear mixed-effects model revealed no significant contributions of the medial olivocochlear reflex to speech perception in noise. CONCLUSION The results suggest that there was no evidence of any modulatory influence of the indirectly measured medial olivocochlear reflex strength on speech perception in noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shezeen Abdul Gafoor
- Facility for Advanced Auditory Research, Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, India
| | - Ajith Kumar Uppunda
- Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Manasagangothri, Mysuru, India, 570006.
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Farhadi A, Jennings SG, Strickland EA, Carney LH. Subcortical auditory model including efferent dynamic gain control with inputs from cochlear nucleus and inferior colliculus. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 154:3644-3659. [PMID: 38051523 PMCID: PMC10836963 DOI: 10.1121/10.0022578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
An auditory model has been developed with a time-varying, gain-control signal based on the physiology of the efferent system and subcortical neural pathways. The medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent stage of the model receives excitatory projections from fluctuation-sensitive model neurons of the inferior colliculus (IC) and wide-dynamic-range model neurons of the cochlear nucleus. The response of the model MOC stage dynamically controls cochlear gain via simulated outer hair cells. In response to amplitude-modulated (AM) noise, firing rates of most IC neurons with band-enhanced modulation transfer functions in awake rabbits increase over a time course consistent with the dynamics of the MOC efferent feedback. These changes in the rates of IC neurons in awake rabbits were employed to adjust the parameters of the efferent stage of the proposed model. Responses of the proposed model to AM noise were able to simulate the increasing IC rate over time, whereas the model without the efferent system did not show this trend. The proposed model with efferent gain control provides a powerful tool for testing hypotheses, shedding insight on mechanisms in hearing, specifically those involving the efferent system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afagh Farhadi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Skyler G Jennings
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Strickland
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
| | - Laurel H Carney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
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Boothalingam S, Peterson A, Powell L, Easwar V. Auditory brainstem mechanisms likely compensate for self-imposed peripheral inhibition. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12693. [PMID: 37542191 PMCID: PMC10403563 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39850-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Feedback networks in the brain regulate downstream auditory function as peripheral as the cochlea. However, the upstream neural consequences of this peripheral regulation are less understood. For instance, the medial olivocochlear reflex (MOCR) in the brainstem causes putative attenuation of responses generated in the cochlea and cortex, but those generated in the brainstem are perplexingly unaffected. Based on known neural circuitry, we hypothesized that the inhibition of peripheral input is compensated for by positive feedback in the brainstem over time. We predicted that the inhibition could be captured at the brainstem with shorter (1.5 s) than previously employed long duration (240 s) stimuli where this inhibition is likely compensated for. Results from 16 normal-hearing human listeners support our hypothesis in that when the MOCR is activated, there is a robust reduction of responses generated at the periphery, brainstem, and cortex for short-duration stimuli. Such inhibition at the brainstem, however, diminishes for long-duration stimuli suggesting some compensatory mechanisms at play. Our findings provide a novel non-invasive window into potential gain compensation mechanisms in the brainstem that may have implications for auditory disorders such as tinnitus. Our methodology will be useful in the evaluation of efferent function in individuals with hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Boothalingam
- Waisman Center and Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
- Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
- National Acoustic Laboratories, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Abigayle Peterson
- Waisman Center and Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Lindsey Powell
- Waisman Center and Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Vijayalakshmi Easwar
- Waisman Center and Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
- National Acoustic Laboratories, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
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