Research In Otolaryngology Research Articles

Bioinformatics in otolaryngology research. Part one: concepts in DNA sequencing and gene expression analysis.

Advances in high-throughput molecular biology, genomics and epigenetics, coupled with exponential increases in computing power and data storage, have led to a new era in biological research and information. Bioinformatics, the discipline devoted to storing, analysing and interpreting large volumes of biological data, has become a crucial component of modern biomedical research. Research in otolaryngology has evolved along with these advances. This review highlights several modern high-throughput research methods, and focuses on the bioinformatics principles necessary to carry out such studies. Several examples from recent literature pertinent to otolaryngology are provided. The review is divided into two parts; this first part discusses the bioinformatics approaches applied in nucleotide sequencing and gene expression analysis. This paper demonstrates how high-throughput nucleotide sequencing and transcriptomics are changing biology and medicine, and describes how these changes are affecting otorhinolaryngology. Sound bioinformatics approaches are required to obtain useful information from the vast new sources of data.

State of the Otolaryngology Match: Has Competition Increased since the Early Match?

Objectives: Demonstrate increasing demand of medical students applying to otolaryngology and decreasing supply of available residency training positions after the shift from an early match to conventional matching process. Demonstrate increasing United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step I scores among matched otolaryngology applicants over time. Methods: Matching statistics were obtained for first year residency positions through the National Residency Matching Program from 1998 to 2013. Matching statistics were obtained for otolaryngology residency positions through the San Francisco Match from 1998 to 2005. Univariate cross-sectional analysis was performed with a P value of .05 determined as significant. Results: Comparing the early match time period to the conventional match time period, there was an increase in otolaryngology resident applicants overall ( P = .002) and US senior otolaryngology applicants (.0006). There was also an increase in unmatched otolaryngology applicants (.0497). USMLE Step I scores increased between match time periods both among matched ( P = .025) and unmatched applicants ( P = .036). When comparing 5-year core otolaryngology residency positions to 6-year or 7-year research positions, the probability of having an unfilled research position was 24.8 times higher than having an unfilled core position. Conclusions: Eight years ago, otolaryngology changed from an early to conventional time frame matching process. The match is now more competitive, as evidenced by an increase in the overall number of otolaryngology residency applications, an increased number of unmatched applicants, and an increase of 17 points on average among matched applicants on the USMLE Step I Score. Meanwhile, otolaryngology research positions remain more unlikely to fill compared with core positions.

In reference to "the value of resident presentations at scientific meetings".

In Reference to “The Value of Resident Presentations at Scientific Meetings” We would like to thank the editors of major otolaryngology journals for their insightful editorial entitled “The Value of Resident Presentations at Scientific Meetings” published in The Laryngoscope and other prominent otolaryngologic journals.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 We strongly agree about the importance of encouraging research among residents and that poster presentations are an effective way to involve residents at scientific meetings and in the peer review process. Encouraging residents to apply for external sources of research support, such as those offered by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) grant program is also important. In addition to decreasing the financial burden on departments, CORE grants are associated with greater scholarly impact and subsequent National Institutes of Health funding support.15 In addition to the valuable points raised regarding resident participation in the editorial just cited,1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 we would like to emphasize the value of encouraging and guiding medical student scholarly activity. In our experience, collaborating with medical students on projects ranging from basic to more clinically oriented studies helps build the interest and skill set that make it more likely that they will enthusiastically pursue research activity during residency training. It is also helpful to them in their pursuit of competitive residency positions. Our recent analysis examining authorship trends in The Laryngoscope and International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology reveals medical students may be underinvolved, and it suggests tangible benefits to the faculty collaborating with students because there is an association between greater scholarly impact and collaborating with nondoctoral authors in these journals.16 Regardless of what level of training one is at, we strongly agree with, support, and praise the editors' valuable points that supporting current trainees in scholarly pursuits is crucial for the continued advancement of our specialty.

Assessing physical functioning in otolaryngology: feasibility of the short physical performance battery

PurposeObjective measures of physical functioning and mobility are considered to be the strongest indicators of overall health and mortality risk in older adults. These measures are not routinely used in otolaryngology research. We investigated the feasibility of using a validated physical performance battery to assess the functioning of older adults seen in a tertiary care otolaryngology clinic. Materials and methodsThe Short Physical Performance Battery was performed on 22 individuals aged 50years or older enrolled in the Studying Multiple Outcomes after Aural Rehabilitative Treatment (SMART) study at Johns Hopkins. ResultsWe successfully administered the SPPB to 22 participants, and this testing resulted in minimal participant and provider burden with respect to time, training, and space requirements. The mean time to complete 5 chair stands was 13.0±3.8seconds. The mean times for the side-by-side, semi-tandem, and tandem stands were 10.0±0.0, 9.5±2.1, and 8.8±3.2seconds, respectively. Mean walking speed was 1.1±0.3meters per second, and composite SPPB scores ranged from 6 to 12 (mean=10.45, S.D.=1.6). ConclusionsOur results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a standardized physical performance battery to assess physical functioning in a cohort of older adults seen in a tertiary otolaryngology clinic. We provide detailed instructions, references, and analytic methods for implementing the SPPB in future otolaryngology studies involving older adults.

Do AAO-HNSF CORE Grants Predict Future NIH Funding Success?

To determine (1) whether academic otolaryngologists who have received an American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) grant are more likely to procure future National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding; (2) whether CORE grants or NIH Career Development (K) awards have a stronger association with scholarly impact. Historical cohort. Scholarly impact, as measured by the h-index, publication experience, and prior grant history, were determined for CORE-funded and non-CORE-funded academic otolaryngologists. All individuals were assessed for NIH funding history. Of 192 academic otolaryngologists with a CORE funding history, 39.6% had active or prior NIH awards versus 15.1% of 1002 non-CORE-funded faculty (P < .0001). Higher proportions of CORE-funded otolaryngologists have received K-series and R-series grants from the NIH (P-values < .05). K-grant recipients had higher h-indices than CORE recipients (12.6 vs 7.1, P < .01). Upon controlling for rank and experience, this difference remained significant among junior faculty. A higher proportion of academic otolaryngologists with prior AAO-HNSF CORE funding have received NIH funding relative to their non-CORE-funded peers, suggesting that the CORE program may be successful in its stated goals of preparing individuals for the NIH peer review process, although further prospective study is needed to evaluate a "cause and effect" relationship. Individuals with current or prior NIH K-grants had greater research productivity than those with CORE funding history. Both cohorts had higher scholarly impact values than previously published figures among academic otolaryngologists, highlighting that both CORE grants and NIH K-grants awards are effective career development resources.

In reference to The value of resident presentations at scientific meetings

In Reference to “The Value of Resident Presentations at Scientific Meetings” We would like to thank the editors of major otolaryngology journals for their insightful editorial entitled “The Value of Resident Presentations at Scientific Meetings” published in The Laryngoscope and other prominent otolaryngologic journals.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 We strongly agree about the importance of encouraging research among residents and that poster presentations are an effective way to involve residents at scientific meetings and in the peer review process. Encouraging residents to apply for external sources of research support, such as those offered by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) grant program is also important. In addition to decreasing the financial burden on departments, CORE grants are associated with greater scholarly impact and subsequent National Institutes of Health funding support.15 In addition to the valuable points raised regarding resident participation in the editorial just cited,1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 we would like to emphasize the value of encouraging and guiding medical student scholarly activity. In our experience, collaborating with medical students on projects ranging from basic to more clinically oriented studies helps build the interest and skill set that make it more likely that they will enthusiastically pursue research activity during residency training. It is also helpful to them in their pursuit of competitive residency positions. Our recent analysis examining authorship trends in The Laryngoscope and International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology reveals medical students may be underinvolved, and it suggests tangible benefits to the faculty collaborating with students because there is an association between greater scholarly impact and collaborating with nondoctoral authors in these journals.16 Regardless of what level of training one is at, we strongly agree with, support, and praise the editors' valuable points that supporting current trainees in scholarly pursuits is crucial for the continued advancement of our specialty.

Australian otolaryngology research

Australian otolaryngology research

AAO‐HNSF CORE Grant Acquisition Is Associated with Greater Scholarly Impact

To determine whether receiving funding from the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) grant program is associated with career choice (in terms of practice setting) and scholarly impact. Examination of bibliometrics among academic otolaryngologists, including CORE grants funding history. An Internet search was conducted to determine the current practice setting and, for academic otolaryngologists, academic rank of individuals receiving CORE grants since 1985. The Scopus database was used to determine scholarly impact, as measured by the h-index, and publication experience (in years) of these practitioners along with a "control" cohort of nonfunded academic otolaryngologists. Of 432 unique individuals receiving CORE grant funding since 1985, 44.4% are currently academicians. This cohort had a higher h-index (mean, 11.9; median, 10; interquartile range [IQR], 6-18) than their non-CORE grant-funded academic peers (mean, 9.2; median, 7; IQR, 3-13; P = .002) and colleagues who are not currently in academic practice (mean, 4.4; median, 3; IQR, 0-6; P < .001). CORE grant-funded academic otolaryngologists had a statistically higher scholarly impact on controlling for academic rank and among practitioners with greater than 10 years of publication experience. No statistical differences in academic promotion patterns were noted between those with and those without a CORE grant funding history. Procurement of an AAO-HNSF CORE grant is associated with greater scholarly impact, as measured by the h-index. This relationship persists among practitioners with more than 10 years of publication experience, as well as upon comparison of CORE grant-funded and non-CORE grant-funded otolaryngologists at all academic ranks. Practitioners awarded these grants may be more likely to go into and remain in academic practice.

Editorial introductions

Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery was launched in 1993. It is one of a successful series of review journals whose unique format is designed to provide a systematic and critical assessment of the literature as presented in the many primary journals. The fields of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery are divided into 11 sections that are reviewed once a year. Each section is assigned a Section Editor, a leading authority in the area, who identifies the most important topics at that time. Here we are pleased to introduce the Journal's Section Editors for this issue. SECTION EDITORS Ravi N. SamyRavi N. SamyRavi N. Samy, MD, FACS is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA. Dr Samy's practice includes pediatric and adult otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery. He also serves as the Director of the Neurotology Fellowship and the Adult Cochlear Implantation Program. He earned his MD from Duke University School of Medicine and then completed a residency at Stanford University Medical Center followed by a fellowship in otology, neurotology and skull base surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is an active member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery (AAOHNS) and the American Neurotology Society (ANS). He is also a fellow of the American College of Surgery. He is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology with a Certificate of Added Qualitifications in Neurotology. Dr Samy's special interests are pediatric and adult otology, neurotology, skull base tumors (such as acoustic neuromas) and a prototype surgical robotic system. His robotic studies have recently focused on simulation applications for otologic training. His publications have appeared in such journals as Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Otology and Neurotology and Laryngoscope. Rodney C. DiazRodney C. DiazRodney C. Diaz, MD is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California at Davis, USA. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he obtained his baccalaureate in Astrophysics. He received his MD degree from the University of California at Davis. He remained at UC Davis for his postdoctoral medical training, completing his general surgery internship and residency in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery. He then completed a clinical fellowship in otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery at the Michigan Ear Institute. Dr Diaz currently serves as the Residency Program Director for the Otolaryngology Department at UC Davis Medical Center. He is an active member of several otolaryngology organizations, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, and the American Neurotology Society. Dr Diaz's clinical practice is focused on otology, neurotology, and tumors of the lateral skull base. His research interests include the electrophysiologic and molecular biologic mechanisms of inner ear potassium cycling and lateral wall transport processes in the regulation of the endocochlear potential, as well as in novel methods for the regeneration of inner ear sensory epithelium. Dr Diaz serves as a board member of the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board of California.

Does receiving an American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts grant influence career path and scholarly impact among fellowship‐trained rhinologists?

To determine whether American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) grants influence career paths and scholarly impact of fellowship-trained rhinologists, and whether funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and CORE programs is associated with increased scholarly impact among rhinologists. Another aim was to explore whether obtaining CORE grant funding is associated with NIH award acquisition. Practice setting, academic rank, and fellowship-training status were determined for individuals in the CORE grant database. The h-index and publication experience of practitioners was calculated using the Scopus database. Faculty listings were used to determine this data for a non-CORE-grants-funded "control" group of academic rhinologists. Active and past NIH funding was obtained using the NIH RePORTER database. Fifteen of 26 (57.7%) fellowship-trained rhinologists receiving CORE grants were funded for rhinologic projects. Five of 6 rhinologists receiving NIH funding had a CORE-grants-funding history. Twenty-two of 26 (84.6%) rhinologists receiving CORE funding are currently in academic practice. Academic rhinologists receiving CORE or NIH funding had higher h-indices, a result reaching significance among promoted faculty and those with greater than 10 years of publication experience. Encouraging the pursuit of CORE grants among junior faculty as well as trainees interested in rhinology may be a strategy for developing highly effective research habits that pay dividends after the first few years of one's career. Fellowship-trained rhinologists with a CORE funding history predominantly pursue careers in academic medicine, although their CORE projects are not necessarily related to rhinologic topics.

New insights into vestibular neuropharmacology: From bench to bedside

Recent epidemiological investigations have highlighted the high prevalence of vestibular dysfunctions in the adult population and its association with aging. Despite a large and unmet medical need, the pharmaceutical options of targeted and efficient drugs to reduce the symptoms associated with vestibular deficits remains largely insufficient. This special issue of the Journal of Vestibular Research is devoted to the session: New insights on vestibular neuropharmacology: From bench to bedside, that was organized at the 2012 Midwinter Meeting of the Association of Research in Otolaryngology. This special issue intends 1. to emphasize the current state of the medical need for potent pharmacological treatments of vestibular deficits while highlighting questions regarding the molecular targets, the therapeutic window and the role of pharmacological treatment versus physiotherapy; 2. to give an overview of the fundamental mechanisms of vestibular system function and the mechanism of action of the drugs currently used in the treatment of vestibular disorders and 3. to present recent discoveries in basic research, that may lead to future drug identification to efficiently alleviate the vertigo crisis and protect the vestibule. This theme should target a broad audience ranging from ENT clinicians to scientists, including pharmacologists and pharmacists.

The Increase of Global Health‐Related Research in Otolaryngology

Objectives: Determine trends in global health-related otolaryngology publications. Methods: A systematic search of publications available on PubMed was undertaken reviewing two time periods ten years apart for the timeframes 1998 to 2002 (early time period) and 2008 to 2012 (recent time period) using the search word “otolaryngology” in combination with “developing countries,” “global health,” or “low income countries”; specifying human studies with abstracts in the English language. Publications related only to specific populations within the United States or Europe were excluded. The region of origin and type of publication were assigned as well as the author origin. Chi-squared and t-test analysis was used to identify trends. Results: In the 1998-2002 time period, a total of 11 publications met inclusion criteria for the study with a mean of 2.2+/-1.3 publications per year. In the 2008-2012 time period, a total of 39 publications met inclusion criteria with a mean of 7.6+/-3.1 publications per year. The 354% increase in global health-related publications identified between the two study periods was statistically significant ( P = 0.01). Eighteen percent of primary authors were from high-income countries in the early time period versus 38% in the recent time period ( P = 0.028). Asia and Africa were the most common region of origin in the recent time period with 49% and 23% of publications, respectively. Conclusions: There is a significant increased volume of global health-related publications in English language otolaryngology journals over the past decade, providing strong evidence of the increasing trend of global health as an academic pursuit within otolaryngology.

Sialendoscopy: Introduction, Indications and Technique

Recent decades have been marked by clinical research in otolaryngology and head & neck surgery directed towards the concept of organ and function preservation. Morbidity in head and neck diseases has been greatly reduced with acceptance of conservation procedures and open surgical approaches are getting largely replaced with endoscopic ones, wherever possible. Though there are more or less set treatment protocols for tumors of salivary glands, other pathologies like sialolithiasis and juvenile recurrent parotitis have been treated on arbitrary basis. Sialadenitis secondary to obstructive pathologies including sialoliths, strictures and ductal polyps, remains the most common disorder of the salivary gland [1–3]. Patients would receive sorts of treatment like antibiotics, steroids, sialogogues, anticholinergics or would undergo surgeries like intraoral incision and removal of the sialolith or even gland removal. Also, there were no answers to pathologies like ductal stenosis secondary to chronic inflammation. Introduction of sialendoscope has brought in a paradigm shift in the management of these pathologies. This minimally invasive technique was first described by Katz and Fritsch [4] in 1990s who used flexible endoscope for evaluation of salivary gland ducts. Since then, enhanced optical resolution and miniaturisation of instruments through various advances in technology has resulted in advanced techniques in sialendoscopy. Otolaryngologists and some other clinicians including oral surgeons at certain centres pioneered this speciality and have propagated the philosophy through structured training programmes. Sialendoscopy has emerged as a preferred diagnostic as well as therapeutic tool for management of salivary gland pathologies and has helped significantly reduce the morbidity, loss of work hours and hospital stay. Though a lot of research is still going on in this field, but a set of indications and techniques have evolved over a period of time.

Auditory Training: Evidence for Neural Plasticity in Older Adults.

Improvements in digital amplification, cochlear implants, and other innovations have extended the potential for improving hearing function; yet, there remains a need for further hearing improvement in challenging listening situations, such as when trying to understand speech in noise or when listening to music. Here, we review evidence from animal and human models of plasticity in the brain's ability to process speech and other meaningful stimuli. We considered studies targeting populations of younger through older adults, emphasizing studies that have employed randomized controlled designs and have made connections between neural and behavioral changes. Overall results indicate that the brain remains malleable through older adulthood, provided that treatment algorithms have been modified to allow for changes in learning with age. Improvements in speech-in-noise perception and cognition function accompany neural changes in auditory processing. The training-related improvements noted across studies support the need to consider auditory training strategies in the management of individuals who express concerns about hearing in difficult listening situations. Given evidence from studies engaging the brain's reward centers, future research should consider how these centers can be naturally activated during training.

An Overview of Administrative and National Survey Databases for Use in Otolaryngology Research

An emerging focus on measurement and reporting of health care quality indicators calls for a sound evidence base that otolaryngologists can use to support clinical care decisions. In addition to traditional clinical trials, practitioners are heeding results of high-quality comparative-effectiveness and health services research analyses to better understand the complexity of disease epidemiology, care variation, health care costs, and surgical utilization for common conditions. Many national publicly available data sources exist for use in clinical research that may be of benefit for the academic and clinical otolaryngologist. The strength and value of these sources vary depending on the intended use or research question. The purpose of this commentary is to introduce and provide an overview of some major national and administrative databases, highlight potential strengths and limitations of these data, and suggest applications for use in advancing the care of our patients in otolaryngology.

The Digital Divide in Internet‐Based Patient Education Materials

The ubiquity of the Internet has led to the widespread availability of health-related information to the public, and the subsequent empowerment of patients has fundamentally altered the patient-physician relationship. Among several concerns of physicians is the possibility that patients may be misinformed by information obtained from the Internet. One opportunity for health care providers to address this problem exists within Internet-based patient education materials (IPEMs). According to recent research in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, IPEMs found within professional otolaryngology websites are written at the 8th- to 18th-grade reading comprehension level, essentially unchanged over the past 3 years. This greatly exceeds the fourth- to sixth-grade reading level recommended by the National Institutes of Health. Benefits, strategies, and challenges to improving the readability of IPEMs are discussed.

Religious Practices and Rhinoplasty in Iran

Sir:FigureMedically unnecessary operations such as plastic surgery are increasing and are being performed on patients of every sex, race, lifestyle, and religion. Although it may seem that there is little opposition to cosmetic surgery in today's world, several religions, including Islam, have precepts that oppose the use of surgery for purely cosmetic reasons, as individuals should be content with the way God created them.1 In addition, studies clearly show that many patients consider religion to be very important and are interested in integrating their religious beliefs into their health care.2 In this prospective study, conducted at a university and in private practice settings in Tehran and Mashad, Iran, we examined the influence of religious practices on the desire to undergo rhinoplasty. The study consisted of 54 rhinoplasty candidates and 54 control subjects of a total of 215 patients who were evaluated for inclusion in the study. To decrease any bias attributable to surgical indication, we limited the criteria for selection into the study to those people in whom the indication for rhinoplasty was moderate. The two study groups were matched for age and sex. Each participant completed a questionnaire regarding their income, education, and religious practices (including fasting, praying, and wearing the veil) and some of the other probable factors that might motivate someone toward cosmetic surgery (e.g., media exposure and some aspects of personality such as hobbies). The majority of the rhinoplasty patients (84.3 percent) were young female patients. The economic status, educational status, media exposure, and hobbies of the two groups were not significantly different. However, in terms of religious practices, as measured by veil-wearing, fasting, and praying, women who opted to be fully veiled had a lower tendency to want to undergo rhinoplasty compared with those who preferred to be less veiled. Similarly, those who expressed a greater tendency to pray and fast had a significantly lower desire to undergo rhinoplasty (Table 1).Table 1: Association of Various Educational, Economic, Social, and Religious Factors with the Desire to Undergo Cosmetic RhinoplastyOur findings suggest that there is a role for Islamic religious belief regarding body satisfaction that also affects the desire to undergo rhinoplasty. Such a relationship between veil wearing and body satisfaction has previously been shown by Rastmanesh and colleagues,3 and the effect of some religious practices on body image has been described in several other studies.4,5 In this communication, we confirm those findings by showing that observing Islamic veil practices is associated with a decreased desire for rhinoplasty. In their study, Rastmanesh and colleagues3 concluded that it is possible that women who observed stricter veiling practices might have had decreased psychopathology and decreased levels of media exposure, which could affect the conclusion. In this study, the two study groups were comparable with regard to their income, educational level, hobbies, and media exposure, leaving only the differences in religious practices to account for the differences in desire to undergo rhinoplasty. Thus, it seems religion, at least with regard to the practices of praying, fasting, and wearing the veil, plays a role in deterring women from wanting to undergo rhinoplasty. Amir Arvin Sazgar, M.D. Mohammad Sadeghi, M.D. Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Imam Khomeini Educational Complex, Valiasr Hospital, Tehran, Iran Mehdi Bakhshaee, M.D. Ear, Nose, and Throat Research Center, Emmam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Shokoufeh Darbandi, M.Sc. Department of Mathematics, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Amin Amali, M.D. Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Imam Khomeini Educational Complex, Valiasr Hospital, Tehran, Iran Mona Haydar Ali, M.D. Electrocardiology Research Center, Rajayee Hospital, and, Rhinology Research Society, Tehran, Iran

The influence of perceptual organisation on an auditory context effect

Perceptual organization of auditory scenes has a well-documented effect on subjective reports of listeners. Here, we investigated whether it also influenced an auditory context effect based on pitch. Stimuli were complexes of sinusoidal components arranged to produce ambiguous pitch transitions when presented successively. The context effect was established by preceding an ambiguous test pair with tone complexes comprising frequencies between the components of the ambiguous pair, which was found to produce a strong bias on the test [Chambers & Pressnitzer, MidWinter Meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, 2011]. We first tested whether spatial attention modulated the context effect. Two sequences inducing opposing biases were presented dichotically, followed by an ambiguous monaural test. Listeners were more likely to be biased by the attended context. Then we tested whether figure-ground segregation was required for the context effect. We embedded the context tones in random clouds of pure tones, and varied the temporal coherence between the components of the context stimuli. High coherence produced more detectability of the context and, generally, stronger context effects. Both experiments show that stream segregation of the context sequences strongly influences the resulting bias, for identical physical stimuli. This may provide an additional objective measure of streaming.

Editorial introductions

Editorial introductions

Editorial introductions

Editorial introductions