Test Tone Research Articles

Speech and Language Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Children With Isolated Auditory Neuropathy Versus Cochlear Hearing Loss

Children with auditory neuropathy (AN) have variable hearing on pure tone testing, and the presence of speech and language delays often play a major role in the decision to offer cochlear implantation (CI) in this population. Despite this fact, the speech and language outcomes in this group after CI are not well described. This study compares speech and language outcomes after CI in a subset of the pediatric AN population that does not have a confounding cognitive disorder with those of their peers with cochlear hearing loss (CoHL). Retrospective chart review. Tertiary referral center. Seventeen pediatric patients with AN who received a CI and a group of children with CoHL who received a CI were the subjects of this study. The 2 groups demonstrated similar ages at implant. Children with cognitive delays were excluded from each group. Cochlear implantation. All subjects were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with standardized age appropriate speech and language measures, including the Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT), Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT), and Preschool Language Scale (PLS). There was no significant difference between the groups on age of activation of the CI. Children with a diagnosis of AN had a significantly lower unaided pure tone average preoperatively as compared with children with cochlear hearing loss; however, there was no significant difference between the groups on either their preimplantation or postimplantation speech and language scores. Children with a diagnosis of AN without associated cognitive or developmental disorders have speech and language outcomes comparable to other children who received a CI.

Amplitude and phase-locking adaptation of neural oscillation in the rat auditory cortex in response to tone sequence

Sensory adaptation allows stimulus sensitivity to be dynamically modulated according to stimulus statistics and plays pivotal roles in efficient neural computation. Here, it is hypothesized that in the auditory cortex, phase locking of local field potentials (LFPs) to test tones exhibits an adaptation property, i.e., phase-locking adaptation, which is distinct from the amplitude adaptation of oscillatory components. Series of alternating tone sequences were applied in which the inter-tone interval (ITI) and frequency difference (ΔF) between successive tones were varied. Then, adaptation was characterized by the temporal evolution of the band-specific amplitude and phase locking evoked by the test tones. Differences as well as similarities were revealed between amplitude and phase-locking adaptations. First, both amplitude and phase-locking adaptations were enhanced by short ITIs and small ΔFs. Second, the amplitude adaptation was more effective in a higher frequency band, while the phase-locking adaptation was more effective in a lower frequency band. Third, as with the adaptation of multiunit activities (MUAs), the amplitude adaptation occurred mainly within a second, while the phase-locking showed multi-second adaptation specifically in the gamma band for short ITI and small ΔF conditions. Fourth, the amplitude adaptation and phase-locking adaptation were co-modulated in a within-second time scale, while this co-modulation was not observed in a multi-second time scale. These findings suggest that the amplitude and phase-locking adaptations have different mechanisms and functions. The phase-locking adaptation is likely to play more crucial roles in encoding a temporal structure of stimulus than the amplitude adaptation.

Auditory development after placement of bone-anchored hearing aids Softband among Chinese Mandarin-speaking children with bilateral aural atresia

ObjectiveTo evaluate auditory developments of Chinese Mandarin-speaking children with congenital bilateral aural atresia after using Bone-anchored hearing aids (Baha) Softband and to compare them with matched peers with normal hearing. MethodSixteen patients (age ranging from 3 months to 6 years) with bilateral aural atresia and 29 children with normal hearing (age ranging from 8 months to 6 years) were studied. Auditory development was assessed at three time intervals: baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) was conducted for children under 4 years old; Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS), Chinese Mandarin lexical neighborhood test (MLNT) and sound field pure tone audiometry (PTA) were used for children of 4–6 years old. ResultsMean IT-MAIS scores were 41±24%, 60±22% and 73±7%, respectively at three time intervals. Mean MAIS scores were 66±7%, 90±5%, and 99±2%. Mean speech discrimination scores at the three time intervals were 74±19%, 86±16%, and 95±4% with the easy disyllabic (D-E) list; 48±18%, 73±15%, and 81±7% with the hard disyllabic (D-H) list; 55±17%, 74±22%, and 83±14% with the easy monosyllabic(M-E) list; and 31±14%, 61±15%, and 71±13% with the hard monosyllabic (M-H) list. ConclusionsBaha Softband is suitable for infants and young children with bilateral atresia. Results from these auditory development testing are encouraging. Baha Softband should be used as a bridge for surgical implantations when the temporal bone is thick enough.

Surgical Incision-Induced Nociception Causes Cognitive Impairment and Reduction in Synaptic NMDA Receptor 2B in Mice

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is associated with impairments in daily functioning, and increased morbidity and mortality. However, the causes and neuropathogenesis of POCD remain largely unknown. Uncontrolled pain often occurs postoperatively. We therefore set out to determine the effects of surgical incision-induced nociception on the cognitive function and its underlying mechanisms in 3- and 9-month-old mice. The mice had surgical incision in the hindpaw and then were tested for nociceptive threshold, learning, and memory. Brain levels of NMDA receptor and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) were also assessed. We found that surgical incision-induced nociception in mice led to a decreased freezing time in the tone test (which assesses the hippocampus-independent learning and memory function), but not the context test, of Fear Conditioning System at 3 and 7 d, but not 30 d post incision in 9-month-old, but not 3-month-old mice. Consistently, the surgical incision selectively decreased synaptic NMDA receptor 2B levels in the medial prefrontal cortex, and increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and CDK5 in the cortex, but not hippocampus, of the mice. Finally, eutectic mixture of local anesthetics and CDK5 inhibitor, roscovitine, attenuated the surgical incision-induced reduction in the synaptic NMDA receptor 2B levels and learning impairment. These results suggested that surgical incision-induced nociception reduced the synaptic NMDA receptor 2B level in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice, which might lead to hippocampus-independent learning impairment, contributing to POCD. These findings call for further investigation to determine the role of surgical incision-induced nociception in POCD.

Tympanometry in infants: a study of the sensitivity and specificity of 226-Hz and 1,000-Hz probe tones.

Introduction For infants under 6 months, the literature recommends 1,000-Hz tympanometry, which has a greater sensitivity for the correct identification of middle ear disorders in this population. Objective To systematically analyze national and international publications found in electronic databases that used tympanometry with 226-Hz and 1,000-Hz probe tones. Data Synthesis Initially, we identified 36 articles in the SciELO database, 11 in the Latin American and Caribbean Literature on the Health Sciences (LILACS) database, 199 in MEDLINE, 0 in the Cochrane database, 16 in ISI Web of Knowledge, and 185 in the Scopus database. We excluded 433 articles because they did not fit the selection criteria, leaving 14 publications that were analyzed in their entirety. Conclusions The 1,000-Hz tone test has greater sensitivity and specificity for the correct identification of tympanometric curve changes. However, it is necessary to clarify the doubts that still exist regarding the use of this test frequency. Improved methods for rating curves, standardization of normality criteria, and the types of curves found in infants should be addressed.

Advances in the Objective Diagnosis of Ménière's Disease

Program Description: Ménière’s disease is currently diagnosed by the AAO-HNS Equilibrium Committee Guidelines (1995), which are used worldwide. In the guidelines a “Certain” diagnosis requires histopathological confirmation of endolymphatic hydrops, with no provision for any in vivo test which might confirm that. This seminar will present one well established test (tone burst electrocochleography) and two newer techniques (vestibular evoked myogenic potential [VEMPs] and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] inner ear imaging with intratympanic gadolinium) for demonstrating hydrops, and their basis for advancing knowledge of the pathophysiology of Ménière’s disease. Practical examples of the AAO-HNS guidelines underdiagnosing Ménière’s disease and its use in distinguishing Ménière’s disease from vestibular migraine are presented. Educational Objectives: 1) Relate the basis and validity of tone burst electrocochleography as a sensitive and specific test for hydrops and its methodology as a simple office test. 2) Demonstrate that during a Ménière’s attack, the cervical VEMP amplitude is unchanged but the optical VEMP increases, implying a mechanical change in the membranous labyrinth as opposed to an ionic change. 3) Show that MRI inner ear imaging can visually demonstrate hydrops in the cochlea and vestibule.

A 10-Bit 2-GS/s DAC-DDFS-IQ-Controller Baseband Enabling a Self-Healing 60-GHz Radio-on-Chip

A 10-bit 2-GS/s mixed-signal baseband (BB) circuit, which enables a self-healing 60-GHz 4-Gb/s radio-on-chip implemented in a 65-nm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor, is described. The BB circuit autonomously senses and optimizes transmitter (TX) P <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1dB</sub> , OIM <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> , and image suppression, reducing the yield loss because of process variations. On-chip test tones are generated using a 10-bit 2-GS/s current-steering digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDFS). Using the generated test tones, the aforementioned impairments are measured by an envelope detector at the power amplifier output. Based on this information, the programmable digital IQ phase amplitude and offset controller (IQ_CTRL) in the BB circuit improves the TX image suppression from -32.4 to -42.6 dBc, and digital control signals generated by the on-chip self-healing controller heal the TX P <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1dB</sub> and OIM <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> from 9.5 to 13.2 dBm and from -32.5 to - 40 dBc, respectively. In terms of achieving the target specifications, namely, TX image suppression , , and , healing increases yield on ten dies from 0% to 100%. The BB circuit consumes only 49 mW, of which 37 mW comes from the DACs and 12 mW from the DDFS and the IQ_CTRL.

A Nonrecursive Digital Calibration Technique for Joint Elimination of Transmitter and Receiver I/Q Imbalances With Minimized Add-On Hardware

A nonrecursive digital calibration technique, namely, local oscillator (LO) switching, is proposed for jointly eliminating transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) I/Q imbalances in one combined process. The add-on analog parts are limited to a set of source followers (0.00228 mm2) and metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) switches (0.00017 mm2 ) for reusing the 90 ° phase shift property of the reference LO, avoiding the sinusoidal test tone, loop-back detector, high-speed analog-to-digital converter, and 2-D iterative search algorithm, mostly required in the prior art. A 65-nm complementary MOS transceiver, which is codesigned with a field-programmable-gate-array-based coordinate rotation digital computer algorithm, measures a 10-dB improvement in the image rejection ratio of both the TX (27.8 → 37.2 dB) and the RX (31.2 → 42 dB). The required digital circuitry for the algorithm is also assessed and simulated.

Class-D Amplifier Power Stage With PWM Feedback Loop

This paper presents a second-order pulsewidth modulation (PWM) feedback loop to improve power supply rejection (PSR) of any open-loop PWM class-D amplifiers (CDAs). PSR of the audio amplifier has always been a key parameter in mobile phone applications. In contrast to class-AB amplifiers, the poor PSR performance has always been the major drawback for CDAs with a half-bridge connected power stage. The proposed PWM feedback loop is fabricated using GLOBALFOUNDRIES' 0.18-μm CMOS process technology. The measured PSR is more than 80 dB and the measured total harmonic distortion is less than 0.04% with a 1-kHz input sinusoidal test tone.

Prolonged development of auditory skills: A role for perceptual anchoring?

Many auditory skills continue to develop beyond infancy and even into adolescence, but the factors underlying this prolonged development remain poorly understood. Of interest here is the contribution of on-line statistical learning of stimulus repetitions (anchoring) to the development of auditory spectral and temporal discrimination, as well as the potential contributions of auditory attention and working memory. Children, aged 6–13 years, as well as adults (age range: 21–33 years) were tested on auditory frequency and duration discrimination. Each type of discrimination was measured in two conditions (XAB and XXXAB) designed to afford different levels of anchoring by varying the number of repetitions of a standard stimulus (X) prior to the presentation of the test tone (A or B) in each trial. Auditory attention and working memory were also assessed. Whereas duration and frequency discrimination in either condition did not reach adult level prior to 11 years of age, the magnitude of the anchoring effect was similar across ages. These data suggest that perceptual anchoring matures prior to the attainment of adult-like discrimination thresholds. Likewise, neither attention nor working memory could account for the observed developmental trajectories. That auditory discrimination and anchoring follow dissociable developmental trajectories suggests that different factors might contribute to the development of each. We therefore conclude that although anchoring might be necessary for attaining good auditory discrimination, it does not account for the prolonged development of auditory frequency and duration discrimination in school-aged children.

Age differences in fear retention and extinction in male Sprague-Dawley rats: Effects of ethanol challenge during conditioning

Pavlovian fear conditioning is an ideal model to investigate how learning and memory are influenced by alcohol use during adolescence because the neural mechanisms involved have been studied extensively. In Exp 1, adolescent and adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were non-injected or injected with saline, 1 or 1.5g/kg ethanol intraperitoneally 10min prior to tone or context conditioning. Twenty-four hours later, animals were tested for tone or context retention and extinction, with examination of extinction retention conducted 24h thereafter. In Exp 2, a context extinction session was inserted between the tone conditioning and the tone fear retention/extinction days to reduce pre-CS baseline freezing levels at test. Basal levels of acquisition, fear retention, extinction, and extinction retention after tone conditioning were similar between adolescent and adult rats. In contrast adolescents showed faster context extinction than adults, while again not differing from adults during context acquisition, retention or extinction retention. In terms of ethanol effects, adolescents were less sensitive to ethanol-induced context retention deficits than adults. No age differences emerged in terms of tone fear retention, with ethanol disrupting tone fear retention at both ages in Exp 1, but at neither age in Exp 2, a difference seemingly due to group differences in pre-CS freezing during tone testing in Exp 1, but not Exp 2. These results suggest that age differences in the acute effects of ethanol on cognitive function are task-specific, and provide further evidence for age differences cognitive functioning in a task thought to be hippocampally related.

The retention of simultaneous tones in auditory short-term memory: A magnetoencephalography study

We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to localize brain activity related to the retention of tones differing in pitch. Participants retained one or two simultaneously presented tones. After a two second interval a test tone was presented and the task was to determine if that tone was in memory. We focused on brain activity during the retention interval that increased as the number of sounds retained in auditory short-term memory (ASTM) increased. Source analyses revealed that the superior temporal gyrus in both hemispheres is involved in ASTM. In the right hemisphere, the inferior temporal gyrus, the inferior frontal gyrus, and parietal structures also play a role. Our method provides good spatial and temporal resolution for investigating neuronal correlates of ASTM and, as it is the first MEG study using a memory load manipulation without using sequences of tones, it allowed us to isolate brain regions that most likely reflect the simple retention of tones.

Vision contingent auditory pitch aftereffects

Visual motion aftereffects can occur contingent on arbitrary sounds. Two circles, placed side by side, were alternately presented, and the onsets were accompanied by tone bursts of high and low frequencies, respectively. After a few minutes of exposure to the visual apparent motion with the tones, a circle blinking at a fixed location was perceived as a lateral motion in the same direction as the previously exposed apparent motion (Teramoto et al. in PLoS One 5:e12255, 2010). In the present study, we attempted to reverse this contingency (pitch aftereffects contingent on visual information). Results showed that after prolonged exposure to the audio-visual stimuli, the apparent visual motion systematically affected the perceived pitch of the auditory stimuli. When the leftward apparent visual motion was paired with the high-low-frequency sequence during the adaptation phase, a test tone sequence was more frequently perceived as a high-low-pitch sequence when the leftward apparent visual motion was presented and vice versa. Furthermore, the effect was specific for the exposed visual field and did not transfer to the other side, thus ruling out an explanation in terms of simple response bias. These results suggest that new audiovisual associations can be established within a short time, and visual information processing and auditory processing can mutually influence each other.

Hearing screening for school children: utility of noise-cancelling headphones.

BackgroundExcessive ambient noise in school settings is a major concern for school hearing screening as it typically masks pure tone test stimuli (particularly 500 Hz and below). This results in false positive findings and subsequent unnecessary follow-up. With advances in technology, noise-cancelling headphones have been developed that reduce low frequency noise by superimposing an anti-phase signal onto the primary noise. This research study examined the utility of noise-cancelling headphone technology in a school hearing screening environment.MethodsThe present study compared the audiometric screening results obtained from two air-conduction transducers—Sennheiser PXC450 noise-cancelling circumaural headphones (NC headphones) and conventional TDH-39 supra-aural earphones. Pure-tone hearing screening results (500 Hz to 4000 Hz, at 30 dB HL and 25 dB HL) were obtained from 232 school children, aged 6 to 8 years, in four Hong Kong primary schools.ResultsScreening outcomes revealed significant differences in referral rates between TDH-39 earphones and NC headphones for both 30 dB HL and 25 dB HL criteria, regardless of the inclusion or exclusion of 500 Hz results. The kappa observed agreement (OA) showed that at both screening intensities, the transducers’ referral agreement value for the 500 Hz inclusion group was smaller than for the 500 Hz exclusion group. Individual frequency analysis showed that the two transducers screened similarly at 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz at 25 dB HL, as well as at both 30 dB HL and 25 dB HL screening levels for 4000 Hz. Statistically significant differences were found for 500 Hz at 30 dB HL and at 25 dB HL, and for 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz at 30 dB HL. OA for individual frequencies showed weaker intra-frequency agreement between the two transducers at 500 Hz at both intensity criterion levels than at higher frequencies.ConclusionsNC headphones screening results differed from those obtained from TDH-39 earphones, with lower referral rates at 500 Hz, particularly at the 25 dB HL criterion level. Therefore, NC headphones may be able to operate at lower screening intensities and subsequently increase pure-tone screening test sensitivity, without compromising specificity. NC headphones show some promise as possible replacements for conventional earphones in school hearing screening programs.

Hearing Loss Screening Tests for Adults

Abstract Introduction The early detection of hearing loss has been studied widely in newborns due to the emerging technologies for diagnosis and treatment. There are detailed protocols for this goal. Nonetheless, hearing loss screening in adults has become more important lately with the increase of the life expectancy, an expected change in the Mexican population pyramid towards a rectangular shape in the next 50 years (with increased hearing loss prevalence) and the creation of public policies for social security such as the “Seguro Popular”. There are no Mexican studies about hearing loss screening in adults. The aim of this work was to assess a tone emission and a questionnaire as screening tools for hearing loss in adults. Methods A sample size of 500 individuals without otology pathology from the outpatient clinics at a general hospital. An otoscopy, 2 screening tests (tone emission and questionnaire) and tonal audiometry were performed on all subjects. Results The questionnaire turned out to be a sensitive test but with low specificity, whilst the tone emission was less sensitive but more specific with a higher rate of precision. In this study, the best result was achieved by a combined strategy using the two tests above, with a precision of 90%. Conclusions The best screening strategy proposed by this study for hearing loss in adults is a questionnaire and tone emission test, which guarantees complete hearing assessment in objective and subjective manners, performed quickly and without special training.

A computer-based auditory sequential pattern test for school-aged children

ObjectiveOne type of test commonly used to assess auditory processing disorders (APD) is the Frequency Pattern Test, in which triads of pure tones of two different frequencies are presented, and participants are required to accurately report the sequence of tones, typically using a verbal response. The test is widely used clinically, but in its current format, is an under-exploited means of addressing some candidate processes, such as temporal ordering and frequency discrimination, which might be affected in APD. Here we describe a computer-based version of an auditory pattern perception test, the BirdSong Game, which was designed to be an engaging research tool for use with school-aged children. MethodsIn this study, 128 children aged 6–10 with normal peripheral hearing were tested. The BirdSong Game application was used to administer auditory sequential pattern tests, via a touch-screen presentation and response interface. A conditioning step was included prior to testing, in order to ensure that participants were able to adequately discriminate between the test tones, and reliably describe the difference using their own vocabulary. Responses were collected either verbally or manually, by having participants press cartoon images on the touch-screen in the appropriate sequence. The data was examined for age, gender and response mode differences. ResultsFindings on the auditory tests indicated a significant maturational effect across the age range studied, with no difference between response modes or gender. ConclusionsThe BirdSong Game is sensitive to maturational changes in auditory sequencing ability, and the computer-based design of the test has several advantages which make it a potentially useful clinical and research tool.

Evaluation of Uncompensated Unilateral Vestibulopathy Using the Modified Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction and Balance

To compare the results of the Modified Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction and Balance (mCTSIB) and the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) of computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) to better understand the role and limitations of the mCTSIB in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of patients with uncompensated unilateral vestibulopathy. Prospective blind study. Tertiary referral center. Ninety-eight patients with uncompensated unilateral vestibulopathy were enrolled. After diagnosis was established through ocular motor studies, head roll and Dix-Hallpike tests, caloric testing, and pure tone audiometry, the mCTSIB and SOT were administered simultaneously. Composite or comprehensive scores and equilibrium scores. When composite or comprehensive scores were used to classify subjects as normal or abnormal, the mCTSIB and SOT showed significant agreement (p > 0.256). SOT condition 2 (eyes closed on a firm surface) showed a greater degree of correlation than did other conditions; the foam-surface or eyes-open conditions yielded poor correlation coefficients. The mCTSIB can be used instead of the SOT in screening to distinguish normality from abnormality in dizzy patients with unilateral vestibulopathy. However, the degree of dizziness assessed by SOT condition was poorly correlated with mCTSIB results, especially in conditions with the eyes open and those using a foam surface.

Aligner Tones Software Improve Measurement Precision In The Process of Balinese Gamelan

In the making process of Balinese gamelan, the tone arrangement highly depends on aligner sense and feeling which generally performed by the gamelan’s craftsman himself. Each aligner has his way of aligning with different standard of tone. Tunings process is still based on the sensitivity of the ear and the feelings of the gamelan craftsmen so that the precision of tone can not be achieved. The unavailable of a standard measuring instruments tone used in the tuning process lead to the production process gamelan in Bali takes a long time. To solve these problems, a study conducted by utilizing information technology in the computer - software engineering approach.Besides, to anticipate the limitation of human resources in the field of alignment and to maintain the consistency of the gamelan’s tone in the long period of time it is in need for the touch of information technology in the form of software. The software to analyze the frequency of gamelan’s base tone in order to get the result of the tone in the strip of gamelan which is measurable and in accordance with the expectation. The software is intended will be able to perform the test tone as desired by the buyer. Thus the tone of the achievements obtained quickly, accurately correspond to the reference tone. It also means that the program contributed significantly to the preservation of Balinese culture can be done. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v3i1.1481

An experimental study of the protective effects of Chinese medicine compound eye-patch on asthenopia

To observe the therapeutic efficacy and the mechanism of Chinese medicine eye-patch with invigorating blood circulation and detoxification on asthenopia. A total of 180 rabbits were subjected to three tests, namely the skin microcirculation, the microvascular regeneration in the skin and the skin temperature change, with 60 rabbits for each test. The rabbits in each test were randomly and equally divided into three groups: the normal control group was treated with physiological saline on naked back once per day, the low dose group was treated with the eye-patch on naked back for 15 min once per day, while the high dose group was treated for three times per day. Forty Hartley guinea pigs were randomly and equally divided into four groups for the muscle tone test: the normal control group was treated with physiological saline on naked back, the model group was treated without any medication, the low dose group was treated with the eye-patch on naked back for 10 min once per day, while the high dose group was treated for three times per day. All treatments were continued for 14 days until the termination of the test. The microcirculatory blood flow was observed by using a video-microscopy system. The histological sections were used to detect the microvascular regeneration by observing the expression of factor VIII. The temperature changes on the skin surface were measured by using infrared thermometer, and the muscle tone was tested by the electromyography. In compare with the normal or the model group, the improvement in the skin microcirculation and the blood vascular regeneration, and the decreasing in the muscle tone in low dose and high dose groups were statistically significant with confident level at P<0.05. The eye-patch with invigorating blood circulation and detoxification has great enhancement in blood vascular regeneration and skin microcirculation, and great improvement in the indexes for muscle tone. The study explains certain therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of the eye-patch and shows that it could reduce the symptoms for patients with asthenopia.

Sound Objects and Sound Products: Standardizing a New Culture of Listening in the First Half of the Twentieth Century

In this chapter I develop the psychological underpinnings of environmental music towards an understanding of how the goals of cognitive and behavioral psychologists contributed to a new kind of listening at the beginning of the twentieth century. I begin with an examination of nineteenth-century concerns about both the physical and psychological effects of music and fraught debate among experimental psychologists of the role of musical expertise in the laboratory. These concerns were, I argue, rooted in the assumption of a direct, corporeal connection between the generation and reception of music, usually bound within a single, individual body. In the twentieth century, new technology liberated the listener from a temporally- and geographically-bound experience of music. The Tone Tests, Re-Creation Recitals, and Mood Change “parties” of Thomas Edison and the psychologist Walter Bingham show that recording technology allowed for a normalization and standardization of listening not previously possible in the music halls and laboratories of the nineteenth century. Rather paradoxically, since it also made music more accessible to the individual listener, recorded music, mobilized by industrial psychologists and record companies alike, created a new sound experience actively designed for the lowest common denominator of mass listening. It also contributed to the cultivation of a new practice of mass listening. The new mass listening practice presents broader questions about the definition of music and its functional role – If the function of music is to be ignored, is it still music?