The Temporal-Spatial Effects of Sounds in the Mammalian Auditory Midbrain
Standing
Graduate (Masters)
Type of Proposal
Visual Presentation (Poster, Installation, Demonstration)
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Huiming Zhang
Proposal
Due to the excessive use of portable audio devices and the increased exposures to industrial noises, there is an increasing likelihood of Canadians being afflicted with hearing problems. In Canada, hearing disorders remain as undertreated health concerns. To progress hearing healthcare, we must understand the changes caused by hearing damages on the auditory neural pathways. We will first investigate the neural mechanisms involved in hearing. Previous studies have suggested that the perception of one sound can be changed by another sound, regardless of the locations or timings of the sounds. We are currently studying an important phenomenon. Our topic explores the neural responses involved in how a sound can be affected by a preceding sound and how this effect is dependent on the temporal-spatial relationships between the two sounds. Neurophysiological responses are recorded from both individual and populations of neurons in the rat’s auditory midbrain. The preliminary results have shown that a preceding sound could reduce the responses to a trailing sound as the time gaps between the two sounds decreases. As the number of presentations of the preceding sound increases, a longer time gap is needed for the trailing sound to be unaltered. Furthermore, the effects of the preceding sound on the neural responses to the trailing sound were reduced as the spatial separation increases between the two sounds. Our research into the neural mechanisms of hearing will help us understand how the brain perceives sounds in a natural environment. Using these results, clinical researchers can enhance the effects of cochlear implants and develop advanced hearing-enhancing devices, which will aid in improving the quality of life for our community.
Location
University of Windsor
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
The Temporal-Spatial Effects of Sounds in the Mammalian Auditory Midbrain
University of Windsor
Due to the excessive use of portable audio devices and the increased exposures to industrial noises, there is an increasing likelihood of Canadians being afflicted with hearing problems. In Canada, hearing disorders remain as undertreated health concerns. To progress hearing healthcare, we must understand the changes caused by hearing damages on the auditory neural pathways. We will first investigate the neural mechanisms involved in hearing. Previous studies have suggested that the perception of one sound can be changed by another sound, regardless of the locations or timings of the sounds. We are currently studying an important phenomenon. Our topic explores the neural responses involved in how a sound can be affected by a preceding sound and how this effect is dependent on the temporal-spatial relationships between the two sounds. Neurophysiological responses are recorded from both individual and populations of neurons in the rat’s auditory midbrain. The preliminary results have shown that a preceding sound could reduce the responses to a trailing sound as the time gaps between the two sounds decreases. As the number of presentations of the preceding sound increases, a longer time gap is needed for the trailing sound to be unaltered. Furthermore, the effects of the preceding sound on the neural responses to the trailing sound were reduced as the spatial separation increases between the two sounds. Our research into the neural mechanisms of hearing will help us understand how the brain perceives sounds in a natural environment. Using these results, clinical researchers can enhance the effects of cochlear implants and develop advanced hearing-enhancing devices, which will aid in improving the quality of life for our community.