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Physics of Life Reviews Dec 2022Revealed more than two millennia ago by Pythagoras, consonance and dissonance (C/D) are foundational concepts in music theory, perception, and aesthetics. The search for... (Review)
Review
Revealed more than two millennia ago by Pythagoras, consonance and dissonance (C/D) are foundational concepts in music theory, perception, and aesthetics. The search for the biological, acoustical, and cultural factors that affect C/D perception has resulted in descriptive accounts inspired by arithmetic, musicological, psychoacoustical or neurobiological frameworks without reaching a consensus. Here, we review the key historical sources and modern multidisciplinary findings on C/D and integrate them into three main hypotheses: the vocal similarity hypothesis (VSH), the psychocultural hypothesis (PH), and the sensorimotor hypothesis (SH). By illustrating the hypotheses-related findings, we highlight their major conceptual, methodological, and terminological shortcomings. Trying to provide a unitary framework for C/D understanding, we put together multidisciplinary research on human and animal vocalizations, which converges to suggest that auditory roughness is associated with distress/danger and, therefore, elicits defensive behavioral reactions and neural responses that indicate aversion. We therefore stress the primacy of vocality and roughness as key factors in the explanation of C/D phenomenon, and we explore the (neuro)biological underpinnings of the attraction-aversion mechanisms that are triggered by C/D stimuli. Based on the reviewed evidence, while the aversive nature of dissonance appears as solidly rooted in the multidisciplinary findings, the attractive nature of consonance remains a somewhat speculative claim that needs further investigation. Finally, we outline future directions for empirical research in C/D, especially regarding cross-modal and cross-cultural approaches.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Acoustic Stimulation; Music; Esthetics; Perception
PubMed: 36372030
DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2022.10.004 -
Current Topics in Behavioral... 2021Tinnitus, the perception of sound in the absence of a physical sound in the environment, is highly heterogeneous. It varies in its etiology, characteristics, and impact...
Tinnitus, the perception of sound in the absence of a physical sound in the environment, is highly heterogeneous. It varies in its etiology, characteristics, and impact on an individual's life. The sound is commonly described as "ringing," "buzzing," "crickets," "hissing," "humming." Tinnitus can be acute or chronic, mild or disabling. It can be perceived unilaterally or, more commonly, bilaterally. The sound and its location differ from person to person and fluctuate in the same individual over a certain period of time. This heterogeneity in characterization has important implications for research and clinical practice. Identifying patterns in how tinnitus sounds and its relationship to hearing may aid in identifying different forms of tinnitus and revealing their underlying mechanisms. However, the subjective nature of characterizing tinnitus makes it difficult to reliably define and measure. This chapter will focus on reviewing the psychoacoustic assessment of tinnitus, its relationship to cognitive and behavioral aspects of tinnitus, and its neuropathophysiology. In particular, it will describe the heterogeneity of tinnitus and tinnitus matching, and how individual variability in measures may be used to guide treatment and as a prognostic factor.
Topics: Humans; Psychoacoustics; Tinnitus
PubMed: 33550568
DOI: 10.1007/7854_2020_211 -
Journal of Otology Jul 2023The binaural masking level difference (BMLD) is a psychoacoustic method to determine binaural interaction and central auditory processes. The BMLD is the difference in...
The binaural masking level difference (BMLD) is a psychoacoustic method to determine binaural interaction and central auditory processes. The BMLD is the difference in hearing thresholds in homophasic and antiphasic conditions. The duration, phase and frequency of the stimuli can affect the BMLD. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the BMLD for stimuli of different durations and frequencies which could also be used in future electrophysiological studies. To this end we developed a GUI to present different frequency signals of variable duration and determine the BMLD. Three different durations and five different frequencies are explored. The results of the study confirm that the hearing threshold for the antiphasic condition is lower than the hearing threshold for the homophasic condition and that differences are significant for signals of 18ms and 48ms duration. Future objective binaural processing studies will be based on 18ms and 48ms stimuli with the same frequencies as used in the current study.
PubMed: 37497326
DOI: 10.1016/j.joto.2023.06.001 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Apr 2022Psychiatric conditions are common in individuals with tinnitus. Therefore, the ways individuals cope with such conditions and personality can influence the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Psychiatric conditions are common in individuals with tinnitus. Therefore, the ways individuals cope with such conditions and personality can influence the characteristics of tinnitus.
PURPOSE
The study aims to investigate the direct and indirect effects of resilience, personality traits, and psychiatric symptoms on the tinnitus perception.
RESEARCH DESIGN
This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, and observational study involving quantitative results.
STUDY SAMPLE
Thirty-seven individuals with chronic tinnitus (for more than 6 months) sought the tinnitus care service (mean age = 44.6 years; SD = 11.7 years).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The specific anamnesis of tinnitus, adult self-report questionnaire, resilience scale, big five inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (M = 45.0; SD = 24.1), and visual analog scale (M = 6.4; SD = 2.7) were used. Psychoacoustic measurements (loudness: M = 25.4; SD = 12.8) of tinnitus were performed to characterize the condition in terms of pitch and loudness. The study analyzed the relationship between tinnitus (annoyance, severity, and loudness), psychiatric symptoms, personality, and resilience using multiple mediations.
RESULTS
Resilience did not influence tinnitus severity (BCa: -1.12 to 0.51), annoyance (BCa: -0.10 to 0.11), or loudness (BCa: -0.44 to 0.28) when mediated by anxiety and depression. Additionally, there was only a direct effect of resilience for annoyance ( = - 2.14, = 0.03; BCa: -0.10 to 0.11). There was no direct influence of anxiety and depression on the tinnitus severity ( = 0.53, p > 0.05), annoyance ( = - 0.01, p > 0.05), or loudness ( = 0.11, > 0.05). However, there was an association of personality traits (neuroticism) with the tinnitus severity ( = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.15-2.17; = 2.53, = 0.02) and annoyance ( = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.003-0.24; = 2.09, = 0.04).
CONCLUSION
Resilience and psychiatric symptoms did not have a direct or indirect influence on the tinnitus annoyance, severity, or loudness. However with a direct association of resilience and annoyance, and neuroticism trait with the tinnitus annoyance and severity. Our results suggest that patients with chronic tinnitus and high neuroticism should receive personalized treatment.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Tinnitus; Cross-Sectional Studies; Anxiety; Personality; Perception
PubMed: 34847574
DOI: 10.1055/a-1709-4912 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2022
Topics: Environmental Exposure; Noise
PubMed: 36232026
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912724 -
Laryngoscope Investigative... Apr 2023This study aimed to understand the demographics, clinical characteristics, and psychoacoustic status of subjective tinnitus patients to explore the factors associated...
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to understand the demographics, clinical characteristics, and psychoacoustic status of subjective tinnitus patients to explore the factors associated with acute and chronic tinnitus in the general hospitals of Shanghai.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics and psychoacoustic status of subjective tinnitus patients with history greater than 1 month. Data were collected during January 2021 and January 2022 from eight general hospitals in five districts of Shanghai, China. All patients accepted questionnaires and acoustic examination, then SPSS 22.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0.2 were applied for data analysis.
RESULTS
Among the 359 tinnitus patients, 126 cases were diagnosed with acute tinnitus, 58 cases were subacute tinnitus, and 175 cases were chronic tinnitus. Patients with acute and chronic tinnitus differed in terms of side of tinnitus, hearing loss, frequency of tinnitus, severity of tinnitus, anxiety, depression, and sleep status. Different characteristics were included in the multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis. Persistent tinnitus (OR = 2.00, = .008), high frequency hearing loss (OR = 4.77, < .001), depression (OR = 1.23, < .001) were found to be positively associated with the course of tinnitus. Unilateral tinnitus (OR = 0.48, = .003), mild (OR = 0.29, = .001) and moderate (OR = 0.46, = .038) hearing loss, VAS scores (OR = 0.82, = .032), anxiety (OR = 0.81, < .001), THI scores (OR = 0.98, = .002), and sleep disorders (OR = 0.94, = .025) were found to be negatively associated with the course of tinnitus.
CONCLUSION
Patients with acute tinnitus were at greater risk for anxiety, sleep disturbances, and exacerbation of tinnitus perception, and those with chronic tinnitus were at greater risk for depression.
LAY SUMMARY
Our study demonstrated that patients with acute tinnitus were at greater risk for anxiety, sleep disturbances, and exacerbation of tinnitus perception, and those with chronic tinnitus were at greater risk for depression.
PubMed: 37090863
DOI: 10.1002/lio2.1037 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2023Sensorimotor synchronization strategies have been frequently used for gait rehabilitation in different neurological populations. Despite these positive effects on gait,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Sensorimotor synchronization strategies have been frequently used for gait rehabilitation in different neurological populations. Despite these positive effects on gait, attentional processes required to dynamically attend to the auditory stimuli needs elaboration. Here, we investigate auditory attention in neurological populations compared to healthy controls quantified by EEG recordings. Literature was systematically searched in databases PubMed and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were investigation of auditory attention quantified by EEG recordings in neurological populations in cross-sectional studies. In total, 35 studies were included, including participants with Parkinson's disease (PD), stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). A meta-analysis was performed on P3 amplitude and latency separately to look at the differences between neurological populations and healthy controls in terms of P3 amplitude and latency. Overall, neurological populations showed impairments in auditory processing in terms of magnitude and delay compared to healthy controls. Consideration of individual auditory processes and thereafter selecting and/or designing the auditory structure during sensorimotor synchronization paradigms in neurological physical rehabilitation is recommended.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Attention; Parkinson Disease; Gait; Electroencephalography
PubMed: 38030693
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47597-5 -
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2022Tinnitus is a phantom sound perceived in the absence of external acoustic stimulation. It is described in a variety of ways (e.g., buzzing, ringing, and roaring) and can...
Tinnitus is a phantom sound perceived in the absence of external acoustic stimulation. It is described in a variety of ways (e.g., buzzing, ringing, and roaring) and can be a single sound or a combination of different sounds. Our study evaluated associations between audiological parameters and the presence or severity of tinnitus, to improve tinnitus diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Our sample included 122 older participants (63 women and 59 men), aged 55-75 years from the Portuguese population, with or without sensory presbycusis and with or without tinnitus. All participants underwent a clinical evaluation through a structured interview, Ear, Nose, and Throat observation, and audiological evaluation (standard and extended audiometry, psychoacoustic tinnitus evaluation, auditory brainstem responses, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions). The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory was used to measure tinnitus symptom severity. Our data confirmed that the odds of developing tinnitus were significantly higher in the presence of noise exposure and hearing loss. Also, participants who had abrupt tinnitus onset and moderate or severe hyperacusis featured higher odds of at least moderate tinnitus. However, it was in the ABR that we obtained the most exciting and promising results, namely, in wave I, which was the common denominator in all findings. The increase in wave I amplitude is a protective factor to the odds of having tinnitus. Concerning the severity of tinnitus, the logistic regression model showed that for each unit of increase in the mean ratio V/I of ABR, the likelihood of having at least moderate tinnitus was 10% higher. Advancing knowledge concerning potential tinnitus audiological biomarkers can be crucial for the adequate diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus.
PubMed: 36092804
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.933117 -
Annals of the New York Academy of... Nov 2022Although there is strong evidence for the positive effects of musical training on auditory perception, processing, and training-induced neuroplasticity, there is still...
Although there is strong evidence for the positive effects of musical training on auditory perception, processing, and training-induced neuroplasticity, there is still little knowledge on the auditory and neurophysiological short-term plasticity through listening training. In a sample of 37 adolescents (20 musicians and 17 nonmusicians) that was compared to a control group matched for age, gender, and musical experience, we conducted a 2-week active listening training (AULOS: Active IndividUalized Listening OptimizationS). Using magnetoencephalography and psychoacoustic tests, the short-term plasticity of auditory evoked fields and auditory skills were examined in a pre-post design, adapted to the individual neuro-auditory profiles. We found bilateral, but more pronounced plastic changes in the right auditory cortex. Moreover, we observed synchronization of the auditory evoked P1, N1, and P2 responses and threefold larger amplitudes of the late P2 response, similar to the reported effects of musical long-term training. Auditory skills and thresholds benefited largely from the AULOS training. Remarkably, after training, the mean thresholds improved by 12 dB for bone conduction and by 3-4 dB for air conduction. Thus, our findings indicate a strong positive influence of active listening training on neural auditory processing and perception in adolescence, when the auditory system is still developing.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Music; Auditory Perception; Auditory Cortex; Magnetoencephalography; Neuronal Plasticity; Evoked Potentials, Auditory; Acoustic Stimulation
PubMed: 36114664
DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14899 -
CoDAS 2019To compare clinical characteristics of tinnitus and interference in quality of life in individuals with and without associated hearing loss, as well as to discuss the...
PURPOSE
To compare clinical characteristics of tinnitus and interference in quality of life in individuals with and without associated hearing loss, as well as to discuss the association of quantitative measurements and qualitative instruments.
METHODS
A quantitative, cross-sectional and comparative study approved by the Research Ethics Committee (No. 973.314/CAEE: 41634815.3.0000.0106) was carried out. The responses of the psychoacoustic assessment of tinnitus (intensity, frequency, minimum masking level and loudness discomfort level for pure tone and speech), as well as the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were compared between 15 patients with tinnitus and peripheral hearing loss (group I) and 16 adults with normal hearing (group II).
RESULTS
The mean VAS and THI scores obtained in GI were 5.1 (+1.5) and 42.3 (+18), and in GII, 5.7 (+2.6) and 32.7 (+25), respectively. This result suggests moderate GI annoyance and moderate/mild GII annoyance (p>0.005). There was a positive and moderate correlation between THI and VAS only in GII. In the psychoacoustic evaluation, significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the measurement of loudness (*p=0.013) and the minimum masking level (*p=0.001).
CONCLUSION
There was no direct influence of the presence of hearing loss in relation to the impact of tinnitus. The differences found between the groups regarding the psychoacoustics measures can be justified by the presence of cochlear damage. The objective measurement of tinnitus, regardless of the presence or absence of peripheral hearing loss, is an important instrument to be used along with self-evaluation measures.
Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Audiometry; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hearing Loss; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Psychoacoustics; Quality of Life; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tinnitus; Visual Analog Scale; Young Adult
PubMed: 31644709
DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20192018029