TL;DR: A 2026 study in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America found that seeing a video tied to the sound source, such as motion from a train, drum, keyboard, bird, or canoe paddle, made faint sounds easier to detect through noise. Closing the eyes raised sound-detection thresholds by 1.32 dB, while videos tied …
TL;DR: A 2026 mouse study in The Journal of Physiology found that damaging noise temporarily disrupted sound-offset responses in a brainstem hearing circuit, but those timing responses partly recovered within 24 hours through rapid circuit adaptation. Key Findings Sound-offset responses mark when sound ends: researchers studied neurons in the superior paraolivary nucleus (SPN), a brainstem …
TL;DR: A 2026 study in PNAS from Oregon Health & Science University and Anhui University used optogenetics in mice to map a specific serotonin-producing brain circuit that runs straight to the auditory system, showed that activating this circuit produced tinnitus-like behavior, and traced a likely mechanism for why some patients on SSRI antidepressants report worsened …
TLDR: Patients with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) exhibit significant changes in the white matter (WM) microstructure of their brains, particularly affecting the auditory and language pathways. Highlights: A study compared 122 patients with varying degrees of NIHL and 84 healthy controls. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed significant differences in the white matter microstructure, particularly in …
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is showing promise as a non-invasive treatment approach for tinnitus in some patients. Research indicates it may be able to reduce tinnitus loudness and annoyance by modulating brain activity. However, significant questions remain regarding optimal protocols. Key Facts: TMS uses electromagnetic coils placed on the scalp to deliver magnetic pulses that …
Hearing loss affects over 5% of the global population, reducing people’s ability to interpret sounds and communicate effectively. While hearing aids and cochlear implants can assist with certain types of hearing loss, they have limitations. Exciting research is underway exploring regenerative medicine – regrowing hair cells, neurons, and other structures in the inner ear – …
Hearing loss is a major health issue that affects people of all ages. It can be caused by loud noise, aging, disease, or certain medications and often cannot be reversed. Unlike humans, some animals like birds, fish, and frogs are able to regenerate the sensory hair cells inside their ears that detect sound. Understanding how …
Tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, affects millions of people worldwide. A new study tested a combination therapy of trigeminal nerve stimulation and tailored sound therapy that shows promise for reducing tinnitus symptoms and improving quality of life. Key facts: Tinnitus affects approximately 10% of adults, with 2.4% experiencing severe effects on …
