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Related Concept Videos

Auditory Pathway01:15

Auditory Pathway

Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
Hearing01:31

Hearing

When we hear a sound, our nervous system is detecting sound waves—pressure waves of mechanical energy traveling through a medium. The frequency of the wave is perceived as pitch, while the amplitude is perceived as loudness.
The Cochlea01:13

The Cochlea

The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
Perceiving Loudness, Pitch, and Location01:21

Perceiving Loudness, Pitch, and Location

The human brain perceives pitch through two primary mechanisms reflected in place theory and frequency theory. Each mechanism describes how sound waves are interpreted as specific pitches by the brain, offering insights into the intricate processes of auditory perception.
Place theory, or place coding, suggests that different pitches are heard because various sound waves activate specific locations along the cochlea's basilar membrane. The brain determines the pitch of a sound by identifying...
Anatomy of the Ear01:16

Anatomy of the Ear

Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...
Hair Cells01:22

Hair Cells

Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the auditory system—they transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical energy that the nervous system can understand. Hair cells are located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear, between the basilar and tectorial membranes. The actual sensory receptors are called inner hair cells. The outer hair cells serve other functions, such as sound amplification in the cochlea, and are not discussed in detail here.

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The thalamus and tinnitus: Bridging the gap between animal data and findings in humans.

Hearing research·2021
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Tinnitus and tinnitus disorder: Theoretical and operational definitions (an international multidisciplinary proposal).

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Separate auditory pathways for the induction and maintenance of tinnitus and hyperacusis?

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Oscillations in the auditory system and their possible role.

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Pathophysiology of tinnitus.

Jos J Eggermont1

  • 1Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. eggermon@ucalgary.ca

Progress in Brain Research
|October 25, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Tinnitus research in animals reveals changes in neural pathways, including ion channels and firing rates. These findings, particularly increased neural synchrony, help explain human tinnitus characteristics.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Auditory Neuroscience
  • Tinnitus Research

Background:

  • Tinnitus is a complex auditory perception disorder.
  • Human studies using neural imaging and population responses have characterized tinnitus.
  • Understanding the underlying neural mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review morphological and physiological substrates of tinnitus in animal models.
  • To correlate animal findings with human tinnitus characteristics.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for tinnitus.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing animal studies on tinnitus.
  • Analysis of findings related to ion channels, receptor systems, and neural firing rates.

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  • Comparison of animal data with human neural imaging and population response data.

    • Main Results:

    • Animal studies show alterations in ion channels and receptor systems associated with tinnitus.
    • Changes in single unit firing rate and population responses are observed in animal models.
    • Increased neural synchrony is a common finding that can explain human tinnitus.

    Conclusions:

    • Animal models provide valuable insights into the neural basis of tinnitus.
    • Morphological and physiological changes, especially neural synchrony, are key substrates.
    • Further research in animal models can advance our understanding and treatment of tinnitus.