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Improved Speech Hearing in Noise with Invasive Electrical Brain Stimulation
Prachi Patel1,2, Bahar Khalighinejad1,2, Jose L Herrero3,4
1Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027.
Summary
Electrical brain stimulation of the planum temporale (PT) significantly improved speech perception in noise. This neurostimulation enhanced speech sounds over background noise, aiding intelligibility and quality for improved hearing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Neuroprosthetics
Background:
- Speech perception in noise is a significant challenge for many individuals.
- The auditory system's ability to process complex acoustic scenes is crucial for communication.
Observation:
- Electrical brain stimulation of intracranial electrodes in the left planum temporale (PT) was applied to a neurosurgical patient.
- Stimulation selectively enhanced speech sounds over background noise.
Findings:
- Subjective speech quality improved by up to 50%, and objective intelligibility increased by up to 97%.
- Stimulated PT sites showed receptive fields tuned to spectrally broad, rapidly changing sounds.
- Neural analyses indicated PT sites are functionally situated between Heschl's gyrus and the superior temporal gyrus, enhancing speech-nonspeech discrimination.
Implications:
- The planum temporale is causally implicated in background noise suppression during auditory processing.
- Findings suggest a potential neuroprosthetic strategy to aid speech perception in noisy environments.
