Cortical signal-in-noise coding varies by noise type, signal-to-noise ratio, age, and hearing status. (1st January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maamor, Nashrah; Billings, Curtis J.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience letters. Volume 636(2017)
• Page Start: 258
• Page End: 264
• Publication Date: 2017-01-01
• Subjects: CAEP cortical auditory evoked potentials -- SNR signal to-noise ratio -- SSC continuous noise -- 1TM one-talker-modulated noise -- 4TB four-talker babble noise -- YNH younger-normal hearing individuals -- ONH older-normal hearing individuals -- OHI older-hearing impaired individuals; Cortical auditory evoked potentials -- Electrophysiology -- Noise type -- Masking -- Aging -- Hearing loss; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Neuroanatomie -- Périodiques; Neuropharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.48
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.11.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3940

Abstract

Highlights: SNR, noise type, and group variables significantly contribute to CAEPs. Spectrotemporal properties of background noise determine the effect of SNR on CAEPs. Hearing status and age interact with noise type to affect the timing of N1 and P2. Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of noise type, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), age, and hearing status on cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) to speech sounds. This helps to explain the hearing-in-noise difficulties often seen in the aging and hearing impaired population. Continuous, modulated, and babble noise types were presented at varying SNRs to 30 individuals divided into three groups according to age and hearing status. Significant main effects of noise type, SNR, and group were found. Interaction effects revealed that the SNR effect varies as a function of noise type and is most systematic for continuous noise. Effects of age and hearing loss were limited to CAEP latency and were differentially modulated by energetic and informational-like masking. It is clear that the spectrotemporal characteristics of signals and noises play an important role in determining the morphology of neural responses. Participant factors such as age and hearing status, also play an important role in determining the brain's response to complex auditory stimuli and contribute to the ability to listen in noise.