Adaptive plasticity in brainstem of adult listeners following earplug-induced deprivation

Previous research has shown that loudness perception is modified in adult listeners following 2 weeks of continuous sensory deprivation or stimulation [ Formby, C. ( 2003 ). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 114 , 55-58 ]. However, it is not known if the auditory system undergoes physiological changes or if the l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 2009-08, Vol.126 (2), p.568-571
Main Authors: Munro, Kevin J., Blount, Jennifer
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustic Stimulation
Acoustics
Adaptation, Physiological
Analysis of Variance
Audition
Auditory Perception - physiology
Auditory Threshold
Biological and medical sciences
Brain Stem - physiology
Ear Protective Devices
Ear, Middle - physiology
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
Humans
Neuronal Plasticity
Noise: its effects and control
Perception
Physics
Pressure
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Reflex
Sensory Deprivation - physiology
Young Adult
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Summary:Previous research has shown that loudness perception is modified in adult listeners following 2 weeks of continuous sensory deprivation or stimulation [ Formby, C. ( 2003 ). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 114 , 55-58 ]. However, it is not known if the auditory system undergoes physiological changes or if the listeners simply recalibrate their behavioral criteria such that they become more, or less, conservative following sensory deprivation and stimulation, respectively. The results of this study, comparing threshold of the middle ear acoustic reflex in the two ears of adult listeners after use of a unilateral earplug, are consistent with adaptive plasticity. Acoustic reflexes were measured at a lower sound pressure level in the ear that had been plugged for 7 days. Thus, the effect is consistent with a central gain mechanism mediated by a process within the brainstem.
ISSN:0001-4966
1520-8524
DOI:10.1121/1.3161829