Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Tinnitus, reduced sound-level tolerance, and difficulties hearing in noisy environments are the most common complaints associated with sensorineural hearing loss in adult populations. This study aims to clarify if cochlear neural degeneration estimated in a large pool of participants with normal audiograms is associated with self-report of tinnitus using a test battery probing the different stages of the auditory processing from hair cell responses to the auditory reflexes of the brainstem. Self-report of chronic tinnitus was significantly associated with (1) reduced cochlear nerve responses, (2) weaker middle-ear muscle reflexes, (3) stronger medial olivocochlear efferent reflexes and (4) hyperactivity in the central auditory pathways. These results support the model of tinnitus generation whereby decreased neural activity from a damaged cochlea can elicit hyperactivity from decreased inhibition in the central nervous system.
Source: Scientific Reports
Institutions: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard University
Language: English
Subfield: Sensory Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,390
OpenAlex ID: W4389205368