Background. Information about the epidemiology of central auditory disorders (CADs) is contradictory and variable. The epidemiology of CADs in Russia is poorly studied. The aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence of CADs among primary school children. Methods . Screening was carried out among younger students of a general education school (students of grades 1–4). Suspicion of the presence of CADs was recorded using the Fisher questionnaire. When deviations were detected, audiological testing of the peripheral part of the auditory analyzer and psychoacoustic testing of the central auditory processing were carried out. Results. The Fisher questionnaire was completed by 222 students. Abnormalities were detected in 65 (29.3%) children, and audiological testing was performed on 56 children. Pathology of the peripheral auditory analyzer was identified in 11 (20%) children. Psychoacoustic testing of the central auditory system was performed on 45 children, and 32 (71.1%) children were found to have significant CADs. These children differed from those who did not have CADs in that they had lower monaural speech intelligibility in noise on both the right and left (p < 0,001) and lower standard dichotic number test scores (p = 0,029). Twelve (26.7%) children showed signs of CADs (borderline group), and one child (2.2%) did not show CADs. Conclusion. The results indicate a high prevalence of CADs among primary school-aged children, which highlights the importance of supplementing audiological screening programs for schoolchildren with methods that can detect signs of both peripheral and central disorders.

The cultivation of aesthetic appreciation through engagement with exemplary artworks constitutes a fundamental pillar in fostering children’s cognitive and emotional development, while simultaneously facilitating multidimensional learning experiences across diverse perceptual domains. However, children in early stages of cognitive development frequently encounter substantial challenges when attempting to comprehend and internalize complex visual narratives and abstract artistic concepts inherent in sophisticated artworks. This study presents an innovative methodological framework designed to enhance children’s artwork comprehension capabilities by systematically leveraging the theoretical foundations of audio-visual cross-modal integration. Through investigation of cross-modal correspondences between visual and auditory perceptual systems, we developed a sophisticated methodology that extracts and interprets musical elements based on gaze behavior patterns derived from prior pilot studies when observing artworks. Utilizing state-of-the-art deep learning techniques, specifically Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), these extracted visual–musical correspondences are subsequently transformed into cohesive, aesthetically pleasing musical compositions that maintain semantic and emotional congruence with the observed visual content. The efficacy and practical applicability of our proposed method were validated through empirical evaluation involving 96 children (analyzed through objective behavioral assessments using eye-tracking technology), complemented by qualitative evaluations from 16 parents and 5 experienced preschool educators. Our findings show statistically significant improvements in children’s sustained engagement and attentional focus under AI-generated, artwork-matched audiovisual support, potentially scaffolding deeper processing and informing future developments in aesthetic education. The results demonstrate statistically significant improvements in children’s sustained engagement (fixation duration: 58.82 ± 7.38 s vs. 41.29 ± 6.92 s, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d ≈ 1.29), attentional focus (AOI gaze frequency increased 73%, p < 0.001), and subjective evaluations from parents (mean ratings 4.56–4.81/5) when visual experiences are augmented by AI-generated, personalized audio-visual experiences.

Introduction: Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) affects approximately 2–5% of school-aged children and up to 76% of older adults, significantly impac­ting language, communication, and learning. Diagnosis requires both behavioral and electrophysiological testing to assess auditory pathway function and cortical activity related to sound processing. Objective: To document, for the first time in Colombia, the results of electrophysiological tests in patients with CAPD. Mate­rials and methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted at IPS Oigamos in Medellin (2015-2023). Sociodemographic, audiological, behavioral, and elec­trophysiological variables (ABR, MLR, and P300) were analyzed, along with follow-up after auditory training in a subgroup of patients. Results: A total of 47 patients with CAPD were evaluated, with a median age of 8 years and a male pre­dominance (57.8%). Initial tests showed normal latencies in the ABR, abnormalities in the MLR, and prolonged latencies in the P300. In the subgroup that underwent auditory training, a significant reduction in P300 latency was observed. Discussion: The findings suggest that the P300 potential is a sensitive marker of central audi­tory dysfunction, as it is prolonged at diagnosis and improves after intervention. Conclusion: The results indicate that the P300 potential could be a valuable tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of CAPD. Despite its limitations, this study represents a relevant contribution to the understanding of CAPD in the Colombian context.

The mechanisms that contribute to CRSwNP-related olfactory loss are poorly characterized. We have previously shown in middle meatus mucus that levels of C3, a component of the complement system, are elevated and correlate with worse disease severity. Excessive complement activation has been shown to impact the severity and progression of injury in the visual and auditory sensory systems but has yet to be investigated in the context of olfaction and thus is the focus of this study. Mucus from the olfactory cleft was sampled from CRSwNP patients (n=22) undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery. Olfactory status was determined by UPSIT. Patients were categorized into two groups: normosmic/mild microsmic (n=10) and moderate microsomia/total anosmia (n=12). Mucus concentrations of classical (C1q), lectin (MBL), alternative pathways (fB, Adipsin), complement proteins (C2, 4, 3, and 5), activation fragments (C4b, C3a, C3b, C5a), and soluble regulators (Factor I and H) were assessed by multiplex or ELISA. With regards to findings, CRSwNP patients with olfactory dysfunction had higher MBL, C4, C3, fB, and Adipsin levels, suggesting lectin and alternative pathway involvement. Complement activation was present and significantly increased in microsomia/total anosmia patients as determined by the presence C3a and C3b complement cleavage fragments. No differences in terminal pathway proteins, C5 or C5a, were noted. Fluid phase complement inhibitor, factor H, was elevated, representative of increased complement activity. In conclusion, Elevated complement activation is linked to more severe olfactory dysfunction. These findings highlight the potential role of complement pathways in the pathogenesis of olfactory impairment related to CRSwNP.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) caused by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection involves alterations in both the central auditory pathways and cochlear structures. Immediate early (IE) proteins are critical for HCMV pathogenicity and have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders; however, their contribution to HCMV-associated SNHL remains unclear. Here, we generated transgenic mouse models expressing HCMV IE1 and IE2 protein to investigate their effects on auditory function and cochlear pathology. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements revealed that expression of IE2, but not IE1, led to significantly elevated ABR thresholds and impaired auditory processing. IE2-transgenic mice exhibited synaptic loss, hair cell degeneration, and neuronal atrophy in auditory regions. scRNA-seq analysis indicated broad activation of inflammatory pathways and cytokines within the cochlea, along with disruptions in mitochondrial and metabolic pathways, suggesting that IE2 may contribute to hearing loss through mitochondrial impairment and inflammation. Transmission electron microscopy of cochlear tissues showed severe morphological abnormalities and a marked reduction in mitochondrial number in spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Further mechanistic investigation demonstrated that IE2 interacts with TSC2, leading to hyperactivation of mTOR signaling, metabolic dysregulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Importantly, administration of mTOR inhibitors substantially alleviated IE2-induced auditory deficits, hair cell degeneration, and neuronal atrophy. These findings identify IE2 through TSC2-mTOR-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic reprogramming, and neuroinflammation leading to SNHL. Our study reveals a previously unrecognized mechanism linking IE2 protein expression to auditory neurodegeneration and suggests mTOR modulation as a potential therapeutic strategy for congenital HCMV infection and associated hearing loss.

Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) are elicited using high-intensity signals, often 125 dB peSPL or higher. Evidence from human experiments documenting cochlear hypofunction after VEMP test using stimulus intensities of 133 and 130 dB peSPL is concerning. However, recent reports found 125 dB peSPL safe as it caused no significant change in pure-tone thresholds and otoacoustic emissions. Nonetheless, previous studies have reported that loud sounds can affect several auditory processes, including temporal resolution, despite no significant change in pure-tone thresholds or otoacoustic emissions. However, all the studies to date investigating the effects of VEMP-eliciting stimuli have used pure-tone audiometry and/or otoacoustic emission. The possibility of a post-VEMP change in temporal resolution remains unexplored. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the potential effects of VEMP-eliciting stimuli on temporal resolution by evaluating gap detection thresholds (GDT). In an experimental time-series research design, 30 young adults underwent a 500-Hz tone burst evoked cervical and ocular VEMP testing. They also underwent GDT testing just before the VEMP test and at 4 other time points (5 min, 1 hr, 24 hr, and 2 wk) after it. In cases of a persistently higher GDT than the baseline, the participants were re-evaluated after 2 mo. A significant change in GDT at the post-VEMP measurement points of 5 min and 2 wk (p < 0.008, α-corrected, Wilcoxon signed-rank test after Friedman test) was observed. Nearly 23% of VEMP ears had significantly worse GDT at 5 min after exposure; however, everyone recovered to the pre-exposure GDT level by the end of the experimental paradigm. Acoustic stimuli presented at an intensity of 125 dB peSPL to elicit VEMP can potentially influence the auditory system temporarily. Nevertheless, comparing the potential benefits of the VEMP test to its temporary ill effects weighs the odds in favor of the VEMP test, especially given that cVEMP is the only possible assessment tool for the saccular function.

Identification and quantification of GABAA R-α1-positive cells in the DCN of rats with behavioral evidence of noise-induced tinnitus.

The sound localization and biosonar system of toothed whales is exceptionally performant. What enables such precision, however, remains unclear, given that (i) toothed whales have no pinnae, and (ii) although their auditory pathways have been studied in detail, no specific feature that could functionally replace the pinna has been identified. We employ a pseudo-spectral time domain (PSTD) numerical scheme to model three-dimensional elastic wave propagation through a toothed-whale head including soft tissues. Computed tomography scans were used to build a velocity-density model of a bottlenose dolphin's head, parametrized on 1.11 mm voxels. We validate our wave propagation solver, identifying a range of frequencies and scale lengths where the PSTD scheme captures the complexities of wave propagation through anatomy. We next focus on the toothed whale's ability to determine the elevation of sound sources, where anatomy plays a crucial role. Sinusoidal bursts with 45 kHz central frequency, emitted by far-field sources at elevations from -90° to +90°, were recorded at the locations of left and right inner ear. We find that their elevation can be established, via correlation, solely based on the "coda" of the incoming signal, whose waveform is controlled by refraction through and reflection off multiple anatomical structures.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of wet ear status and its impact on the efficacy of endoscopic type Ⅰ tympanoplasty. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted at the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army（PLA）Air Force Medical University, on 160 ears that underwent endoscopic type Ⅰ tympanoplasty; these were assigned to a dry-ear group （n= 118） and a wet-ear group （n= 42）.Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for wet ear status. Postoperative outcomes, including tympanic meoombrane healing rate and hearing improvement across frequencies, were compared between groups. Results:①Significant intergroup differences were observed in age, residual tympanic membrane status, external auditory canal condition, mastoid pneumatization（MC0）, and middle ear ventilation dysfunction（P<0.05）; ②The degree of mastoid pneumatization being MC0 is an independent risk factor for wet ear（P<0.05）; ③No significant difference in tympanic membrane healing rates was found（P>0.05）; ④The wet ear group showed significantly higher pre-and postoperative air-conduction（AC） and bone-conduction（BC） thresholds at 2 kHz and 4 kHz compared to the dry ear group（P<0.05）, though the postoperative air-bone gap（ABG） improvement was comparable. Conclusion:Poor mastoid pneumatization is a risk factor for wet ears. The wet ear state has no effect on tympanic membrane healing and air-bone conduction gap, but patients in the wet ear group may have more severe inner ear or auditory nerve pathway damage.

This study aimed to investigate changes in auditory processing using auditory steady state responses (ASSR) in patients with idiopathic tinnitus. 19 tinnitus patients (7 females) and 24 control subjects (9 females) without tinnitus were examined with multiple ASSRs. Three modulation frequencies of 20, 40, and 80 HZ were tested, and the steady state responses were compared between tinnitus and control group. Further, the thresholds in ipsi- and contralateral side to ear with tinnitus were compared. Our findings showed no significant difference in ASSR thresholds in ipsi- and contralateral side in tinnitus patients. However, we observed enhanced ASSRs at 40 and 80 Hz modulations in patients with idiopathic tinnitus compared to no-tinnitus control subjects. The results of this study suggest possible sensory deficits along higher order auditory regions in patients with idiopathic tinnitus. Further, our data indicates a bilateral involvement of auditory pathway in these regions in patients with lateralized tinnitus.

In recent years, it has been suggested that the development of obesity could affect the auditory system, altering its functionality and its ability to process sound. However, little research exists on the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying this relationship, especially in humans. This narrative review aims to highlight the research supporting the role of obesity as both an independent risk factor for hearing loss and as a condition that may exacerbate age-related hearing loss, providing an analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes. We focus on the role of adipose tissue dysfunction associated with obesity and obesity-related alterations and how this disbalance may, directly and indirectly, aggravate natural physiological damage in the cochlea, such as age-induced. This review also synthesizes evidence from metabolic, cellular, and auditory research to provide a comprehensive understanding of how obesity impacts hearing function. Moreover, we propose some methodologies from a metabolic and nutritional point of view to enrich the study of this relationship.

TMD has a multifactorial etiology, involving biopsychosocial factors, and is more prevalent in women. This condition presents various signs and symptoms, including headaches, otalgia, and joint noises, with facial pain being the most common symptom. Tinnitus is an auditory perception with or without an external acoustic stimulus; its origin is nonspecific and multifactorial. Somatic tinnitus may be associated with musculoskeletal conditions and metabolic alterations. Its perception can be modulated by cervical stretching, anterior cervical posture, muscle contractions, mandibular movements, and pressure on the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Thyroid dysfunctions, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, affect the function of various organs and are more common in women. These endocrine alterations can impact the auditory, muscular, articular, and thermoregulatory systems. Objective: Through laboratory tests, this study aimed to assess thyroid hormone levels in women with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), with and without tinnitus symptoms. Material and methods: All participants who sought treatment and diagnosis at the center with orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders underwent an initial interview and assessment at the speech therapy department. Given this, the inclusion criteria included females over &gt;18 years with TMD. The diagnosis was defined through the DC/TMD, and the participants who reported tinnitus complaints answered a tinnitus perception questionnaire (THI). All participants underwent laboratory tests that evaluated the dosage of Free T3, Free T4, and TSH. Results: 35 female patients were included, with a mean age of 44.61. Ranging from 20 to 66 years old without hearing loss. Through the DC/TMD, 100% of the participants were diagnosed with muscular TMD; among them, 65.71% had joint TMD, classified as mixed TMD. According to the questionnaire (THI), 52.9% reported a complaint of tinnitus. Conclusion: There was no direct relationship between the existence of tinnitus and changes in thyroid hormones; further studies on the subject are recommended.

To assess system properties of the human auditory system, such as cochlear gain, frequency selectivity, and their dependence on frequency and level, it is essential to examine the interrelation of various readouts. By measuring and analyzing otoacoustic emission (OAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) latencies, among others, predictions of cochlear models and applicability of properties such as the minimum-phase principle, level dependence of latencies, or related changes of the gain of a presumed positive-feedback mechanism can be investigated. Here, we present measurements of the latency of the nonlinear-distortion component of pulsed distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) ( = 1-14 kHz, = 25-85 dB SPL) in 20 ears (12 female, 8 male). This yields a direct estimate of intracochlear traveling-wave build-up by recording the time elapsed between the primary stimulus and the distortion-product pulse response. Thus, this technique does not require deriving latency from phase gradients of the coherent-reflection component of different frequencies, as is done using swept-tone DPOAE or SFOAE. At low stimulus levels ( = 35 dB), DPOAE latency was 13ms at = 1 kHz, exponentially to 2ms at = 12-14 kHz. In periods of the corresponding frequency, this rose from 13 periods at 1 kHz to 25 periods above 6 kHz. Between 3 and 6 kHz, latency showed a steeper rise, departing from a pure exponential relation. Level dependence of latencies varied among subjects, with changes ranging from -2 to -12% per 10 dB level increase. Test-retest reliability of latency determination with pulsed DPOAE was excellent. For frequencies above 1 kHz and up to 14 kHz, OAE latency data align with a scaling law of 0.3 dB/dB. A transition region between 3 and 6 kHz shows scaling in some ears approaching 1 dB/dB, violating local scaling symmetry. Although comparison with ABR literature reveals some unresolved discrepancies, latencies of pulsed DPOAE allow a way to estimate cochlear tuning properties.

Purpose: This work aimed to study the frequency-following response (FFR) of infants with congenital syphilis under treatment. Method: A cross-sectional study with 112 infants recruited at public maternities was conducted. A total of 90 infants were included in the sample and divided into two groups: 53 infants whose mothers and infants received perinatal syphilis treatment and 37 infants whose mothers and infants were free of syphilis (control group). Infant age ranged from 15 to 90 days ( M = 39.9 ± 17.2 days). FFRs were recorded to a 170-ms consonant–vowel /da/ stimulus, presented at 80 dB nHL to the right ear. Data were analyzed in the time and frequency domains. The Shapiro–Wilk and Mann–Whitney U tests were applied with a significance level of p ≤ .05. Results: No significant between-groups differences were observed in FFR spectral amplitude at the stimulus fundamental frequency or its harmonics, whether computed in the transient or steady portions of the stimulus. No significant differences were observed in prestimulus root-mean-square, neural lag, and the signal-to-noise ratio of the spectral amplitude. Conclusion: These findings suggest that infants with congenital syphilis, when appropriately treated at birth, demonstrate preserved auditory pathway function and sound processing, including temporal and spectral characteristics that are relevant for language acquisition.

Rolling bearings are crucial in rotating machinery, and combining natural and characteristic frequencies improves fault detection. However, natural frequencies face challenges like feature extraction difficulties and drift, necessitating resonance peak information supplementation. Existing methods for extracting resonance peaks often struggle with low quality, false peaks, and merging issues. This paper introduces a novel resonance peak extraction method based on auditory saliency (RESAS), inspired by the human auditory system. RESAS combines Gammatone filtering, multi-scale Gaussian filtering, and lateral inhibition to simulate auditory attention and efficiently extract resonance peaks. A resonance peak saliency map(RPSP) is generated, from which features are extracted and used as input to an improved random forest model(TF-RF) for fault classification. Tests on the QPZZ-II Fault Simulation Test Bench and KWCU data show that the method effectively identifies bearing faults at various speeds and loads, demonstrating its strong potential for application. Furthermore, due to its broadband characteristics and capacity to excite the system's natural frequencies, this method has potential for scalability to other impact-type fault systems.

Tinnitus is the perception of sounds without external stimuli, affecting 10%-15% of the general population and up to 25% of individuals over 70 years of age. While traditionally viewed as an auditory phenomenon, growing evidence highlights the role of the central nervous system in its pathophysiology. One of the proposed mechanisms, the “gating hypothesis” of tinnitus, suggests an alteration in the modulation of sensory activity by the frontostriatal network. Although structural changes in frontal areas support this idea, gray matter differences in subcortical regions—such as the auditory pathway and basal ganglia—remain poorly understood. Here, we examined subcortical structures and auditory function in older adults with mild presbycusis from the ANDES cohort, including 51 tinnitus patients and 40 age-matched controls. We analyzed brain volume via structural magnetic resonance imaging and subcortical auditory functionality via auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). We found non-significant differences in age, hearing loss, cognitive impairment, and ABR amplitudes between the groups. Notably, tinnitus patients presented a significant increase in the volume of basal ganglia structures (striatum and pallidum) but not in auditory areas. These findings reinforce the role of the basal ganglia in age-related tinnitus pathophysiology.

ObjectivesTo assess the real-world safety and effectiveness of canakinumab, a monoclonal anti-interleukin-1β antibody, in patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) in a real-world setting in Japan. MethodsAll patients with CAPS who received canakinumab treatment after drug approval in Japan were registered in a post-marketing all-patient surveillance with 2-year observation period and a follow-up period of up to 5years. ResultsOf 93 patients in the safety analysis set, the proportion of patients with any adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and any serious ADRs was 33.33% and 4.30%, respectively. The most common ADRs were infections and infestations (21.51%). Of 70 new and 18 continuing patients (roll-over from a previous clinical trial) in the effectiveness analysis set, the proportion of responders among new and continuing patients who achieved both clinical and serological remission, was 78.57% and 83.33%, respectively at Week 24. Most responders remained without relapse after the remission until Week 104 (98.11% of new and 100% of continuing patients). Clinical symptoms related to auditory, joint, visual, renal, and central nervous system maintained or improved in majority of patients. ConclusionsCanakinumab was well-tolerated and effective during long-term treatment for patients with CAPS in the real-world setting.

Most humans have only two ears. To know where a sound is in external space, our auditory system must therefore rely on the limited information received by these ears alone. In an adventurous late-night attempt to test blindfolded humans' ability to achieve this feat, we discovered that we mishear the sound of two spoons being hit right in front of us as coming from behind us.

Perceptual training is characterized by strong task and stimulus specificities, leading prior studies on auditory training-induced effects to focus predominantly on the auditory system, particularly the auditory cortex. However, it remains unclear whether such training-induced effects extend beyond the auditory cortex to other brain regions involved in task-related processing. In this study, we trained adult rats on an auditory cue-based discrimination task and then examined post-training changes in the densities of parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) interneurons, a key marker of GABAergic inhibition, across the inferior colliculus (IC), hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and basolateral amygdala (BLA)-all of which are implicated in task demands. We found that training significantly increased the PV+ interneuron density in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus but decreased it in the basal nucleus of the BLA; however, no significant changes were detected in the IC or mPFC. The findings revealed region-specific effects of auditory training on inhibitory circuits mediated by PV+ interneurons, demonstrating that training-induced effects extend beyond the auditory cortex to other brain regions linked to task-related processing. This highlights the potential of auditory training as a strategy for remodeling integrated sensory and cognitive functions in older children and adults.

To investigate essential properties of acoustic transmission, considering the influence of anatomical and functional changes on the development of the auditory system. This is a cross-sectional observational study. Five groups were established depending on the age range of 117 normal-hearing children: 35 Newborns (NB), 15 infants aged six to eight months (6‒8 m), 10 children aged three to five years (3‒5y), 28 aged six to eight (6‒8y) and 29 aged nine to eleven years (9‒11y). Wideband Acoustic Immittance (WAI) data were recorded using a Titan tympanometer (Interacoustics®). The highest absorbance measurements were found in NB and 6‒8 m groups than in children aged three years and older - groups 3‒5y, 6‒8y and 9‒11y - whose measurements were quite similar to each other, being higher in the range of 2k to 6k Hz. Therefore, unlike the reduction in absorbance at low frequencies, which should occur after the first month, at high frequencies, it seems to occur only after the first six months of life. Resonance Frequency (RF) data showed a significant increase with age. In newborns, RF was lower than in infants (6‒8 m), and there were no apparent changes from the age group 3‒5y to 9‒11y. Anatomical and physiological changes in the outer and middle ear throughout childhood lead to changes in WAI measurements, such as equivalent ear canal volume and compensated acoustic admittance increased throughout childhood, while resonance frequency only increased in the first three years of life. The variable pattern of acoustic absorbance is likely representing the various structural changes throughout childhood that affect mass and stiffness components independently.