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Masking release in cortical auditory evoked potentials with speech stimulus
Mônyka Ferreira Borges Rocha1, Denise Costa Menezes2, Danielle Samara Bandeira Duarte3
1Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde da Comunicação Humana, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE - Recife (PE), Brasil.
Codas
|December 21, 2022
Summary
Modulated noise shows a lower masking effect on Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEPs) in young adults compared to strong steady noise. This indicates a better masking release with modulated noise, impacting amplitude and electrophysiological thresholds.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEPs) are crucial for assessing auditory processing.
- Masking noise is used to evaluate auditory system function under challenging listening conditions.
- Understanding the impact of different noise types on CAEPs is vital for audiological assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of different masking noise types on CAEPs in young adults.
- To compare the masking effects of steady versus modulated noise on speech stimuli.
- To determine the masking release based on CAEP measurements.
Main Methods:
- CAEPs were recorded in 14 young adults (19-28 years) with normal hearing.
- A synthetic speech stimulus /ba/ was used with simultaneous Speech Shaped Noise.
- Three masking conditions were tested: weak steady noise (30 dB SPLep), strong steady noise (65 dB SPLep), and modulated noise (30 & 65 dB SPLep at 25Hz).
Main Results:
- Strong steady noise increased latencies (except P2) and worsened wave morphology compared to other conditions.
- Modulated noise yielded more significant amplitude measures for cortical components (P1, N1, P2) than strong steady noise.
- Average electrophysiological thresholds indicated a 11.7 dB difference, favoring modulated noise (49 dB SPLep) over strong steady noise (60 dB SPLep).
Conclusions:
- Modulated noise exhibits a reduced masking effect on CAEP amplitude measurements compared to strong steady noise.
- The 11.7 dB difference in electrophysiological thresholds quantifies the masking release, favoring modulated noise.
- These findings suggest modulated noise is less disruptive for auditory processing assessment using CAEPs.
