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Amplitude-modulation detection by recreational-noise-exposed humans with near-normal hearing thresholds and its medium-term progression.


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Authors

Stone, Michael A 
Moore, Brian CJ 

Abstract

Noise exposure can affect the functioning of cochlear inner and outer hair cells (IHC/OHC), leading to multiple perceptual changes. This work explored possible changes in detection of amplitude modulation (AM) at three Sensation Levels (SL) for carrier frequencies of 3, 4 and 6 kHz. There were two groups of participants, aged 19 to 24 (Young) and 26 to 35 (Older) years. All had near-normal audiometric thresholds. Participants self-assessed exposure to high-level noise in recreational settings. Each group was sub-grouped into low-noise (LN) or high-noise (HN) exposure. AM detection thresholds were worse for the HN than for the LN sub-group at the lowest SL, for the males only of the Young group and for both genders for the Older group, despite no significant difference in absolute threshold at 3 and 4 kHz between sub-groups. AM detection at the lowest SL, at both 3 and 4 kHz, generally improved with increasing age and increasing absolute threshold, consistent with a recruitment-like process. However, poorer AM detection was correlated with increasing exposure at 3 kHz in the Older group. It is suggested that high-level noise exposure produces both IHC- and OHC-related damage, the balance between the two varying across frequency. However, the use of AM detection offers poor sensitivity as a measure of the effects.

Description

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Analysis of Variance, Audiometry, Auditory Threshold, Cochlea, Female, Hair Cells, Auditory, Hearing, Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced, Hearing Tests, Humans, Male, Noise, Sex Factors, Surveys and Questionnaires, Time Factors, Young Adult

Journal Title

Hear Res

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0378-5955
1878-5891

Volume Title

317

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (G0701870)