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Remote masking in noise-exposed chinchillas
A Quaranta1, S L McFadden, D Henderson
1ENT Department, University of Bari, Italy. audiolog@cimedoc.uniba.it
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Remote masking (RM) is less effective in chinchillas with permanent threshold shift (PTS). This suggests PTS impacts how the auditory system processes sound, affecting RM measurements.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Psychoacoustics
- Hearing Science
Background:
- Remote masking (RM) is a psychoacoustic phenomenon where high-frequency noise raises hearing thresholds for low-frequency sounds.
- RM sensitivity to hearing loss and temporary threshold shifts is documented in humans and chinchillas.
- The effect of permanent threshold shift (PTS) on RM is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate remote masking (RM) in chinchillas with experimentally induced permanent threshold shift (PTS).
- To determine if PTS affects the magnitude of the RM effect.
Main Methods:
- Chinchillas were exposed to intense impact noise to induce PTS.
- Hearing thresholds for 0.5 and 1 kHz tones were measured in quiet.
- RM was assessed using an 88 dB SPL narrow band noise masker centered at 3 kHz.
Main Results:
- Remote masking (RM) values were significantly reduced in chinchillas with PTS compared to normal-hearing controls.
- This indicates a diminished RM effect in the presence of permanent hearing loss.
Conclusions:
- Permanent threshold shift (PTS) significantly reduces remote masking (RM) effects in chinchillas.
- These findings suggest alterations in auditory processing associated with PTS impact RM.
- RM may serve as a potential indicator of auditory system changes in hearing loss.