Srikanta K Mishra, Sajana Aryal, Chhayakanta Patro, Qian-Jie Fu
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: Natural sounds, including speech, contain temporal fluctuations, and hearing loss influences the coding of these temporal features. However, how subclinical hearing loss may influence temporal variations remains unclear. In listeners with normal audiograms, hearing loss above 8 kHz is indicative of basal cochlear damage and may signal the onset of cochlear dysfunction. This study examined a conceptual framework to investigate the relationship between extended high-frequency hearing and suprathreshold auditory processing, particularly focusing on how cognitive factors, such as working memory, moderate these interactions.
Design: Frequency modulation difference limens to slow (2 Hz) and fast (20 Hz) modulations, backward masking thresholds, and digit span measures were obtained in 44 normal-hearing listeners with varying degrees of extended high-frequency hearing thresholds.
Results: Extended high-frequency hearing thresholds alone were not directly associated with frequency modulation difference limens or backward masking thresholds. However, working memory capacity-particularly as measured by the backward digit span-moderated the relationship between extended high-frequency thresholds and suprathreshold auditory performance. Among individuals with lower working memory capacity, elevated extended high-frequency thresholds were associated with reduced sensitivity to fast-rate frequency modulations and higher backward masking thresholds. It is important to note that this moderating effect was task-specific, as it was not observed for slow-rate modulations.
Conclusions: The impact of elevated extended high-frequency thresholds on suprathreshold auditory processing is influenced by working memory capacity. Individuals with reduced cognitive capacity are particularly vulnerable to the perceptual effects of subclinical cochlear damage. This suggests that cognitive resources act as a compensatory mechanism, helping to mitigate the effects of subclinical deficits, especially in tasks that are temporally challenging.
期刊介绍：
From the basic science of hearing and balance disorders to auditory electrophysiology to amplification and the psychological factors of hearing loss, Ear and Hearing covers all aspects of auditory and vestibular disorders. This multidisciplinary journal consolidates the various factors that contribute to identification, remediation, and audiologic and vestibular rehabilitation. It is the one journal that serves the diverse interest of all members of this professional community -- otologists, audiologists, educators, and to those involved in the design, manufacture, and distribution of amplification systems. The original articles published in the journal focus on assessment, diagnosis, and management of auditory and vestibular disorders.
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