Neural Mechanisms of Tinnitus and the Effects of Low-Level Noise Exposure on the Peripheral and Central Auditory Systems

Subjective tinnitus, the perception of ringing or buzzing without an external sound source, and hyperacusis, an intolerance to loud sounds, can be severely debilitating disorders, and unfortunately, there remains no cure. Both tinnitus and hyperacusis are thought to emerge from aberrant neuronal hyperactivity within the central auditory system. Logically, tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment research has therefore aimed at suppressing neural activity within the central auditory system. There has been only limited success with pharmaceutical interventions; however, leveraging the auditory systems innate neuroplastic ability to alter its neural representation of sound following prolonged changes in acoustic environments has shown favorable outcomes in suppressing central hyperactivity. The studies discussed herein investigated changes that occur in both the peripheral and central auditory systems following potential tinnitus and hyperacusis relieving agents such as potassium channel modulating drugs, and prolonged exposure to low-levels of noise. To complete these studies, detailed physiological measures representing cochlear or auditory midbrain activity were obtained following administration of potassium channel modulators or prolonged exposure to low-levels of noise with differing parameters. Our result corroborated with others that low-level noise is in fact able to alter the auditory systems central gain mechanism. Furthermore, we build on previous knowledge by characterizing the magnitude and direction of central gain changes that low-level noise is capable of inducing. Multiple factors appear to play a role in these changes, including the temporal schedule of noise exposure, and parameters of the noise such as its spectral and intensity characteristics.

Grantor dc:publisher

State University of New York at Buffalo

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Sheppard, Adam

Contributors dc:contributor

• Salvi, Richard
• Communicative Disorders and Sciences

• audiology
• neurosciences
• physiology

Statement dc:rights

• Users of works found in University at Buffalo Institutional Repository (UBIR) are responsible for identifying and contacting the copyright owner for permission to reuse. University at Buffalo Libraries do not manage rights for copyright-protected works and cannot assist with permissions.
• Copyright retained by author.

Language dc:language

eng

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10477/77972

OAI record oai:identifier

https://ubir.buffalo.edu/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=qdc&identifier=oai%3Aubir.buffalo.edu%3A10477%2F77972