The neural correlates of hearing loss-related distress: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Abstract

Abstract Background: The objective of this study is to investigate the brain mechanisms that contribute to the experience of emotional distress related to hearing loss (HL), using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Materials and Methods: Two groups, matched in age, and gender were recruited: one group with bilateral high-frequency HL (n = 15) and a control group with normal hearing (NH, n = 15). During the task-based phase of the experiment, participants were given instructions to rate emotional stimuli from the International Emotional Digital Sounds (IADS) database and classify them as either pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral. Results: The findings from both the fMRI investigations indicate that individuals with NH and those with HL have contrasting emotional reactions. More precisely, in the task-oriented investigation, we observed a delayed reaction to emotional sounds, but not to neutral sounds, in the group with HL in comparison to the NH group. The brain activity patterns of the NH group showed increased activation in limbic, frontal, and auditory areas, while processing emotional stimuli. Conclusions: Our results elucidate the brain mechanisms behind emotional discomfort caused by HL, paving the way for future research on therapeutic interventions to mitigate the psychological impact of HL.