| 1. |
- Brännström, K. Jonas, et al.
(author)
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Extended high-frequency pure tone hearing thresholds and core executive functions
- 2018
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In: International Journal of Audiology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1499-2027 .- 1708-8186. ; 57:9, s. 639-645
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To examine the relationship between extended high-frequency pure tone hearing thresholds (frequencies 10 to 14 kHz) and working memory capacity (WMC), inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Design: Experimental study measuring correlations between different high-frequency hearing threshold measures and cognitive measures. Study: Pure tone audiometry was assessed in the extended high-frequency (frequencies 10, 12.5 and 14 kHz). Subjects were also tested regarding WMC, inhibitory control (response inhibition), and cognitive flexibility (information updating and shifting ability). Sample: Forty-three subjects between 20 and 29 years old with normal hearing (≤ 20 dB HL) in the frequency range between 0.125 to 8 kHz. Results: No significant correlations were seen between high-frequency hearing thresholds defined as average best and worst ear high-frequency hearing thresholds and the cognitive measures. Differences between the best and the worst ear showed significant negative correlations with inhibitory control and global executive function (combination score for WMC, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility). Conclusions: The present study suggests that global executive functions, more specifically response inhibition, and hearing threshold asymmetry in the extended high-frequency range are interrelated.
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| 2. |
- Brännström, K. Jonas, et al.
(author)
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Hearing thresholds and cognitive flexibility in young healthy individuals with normal hearing
- 2020
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In: International Journal of Audiology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1499-2027 .- 1708-8186. ; 59:8, s. 583-589
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Pure tone audiometry may seem to be a relatively easy task for the participant but it may involve cognitive as well as sensory abilities. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between hearing thresholds in the frequency range 0.125–8 kHz and the core executive function cognitive flexibility in healthy individuals with normal hearing. Design: Experimental study measuring correlations between different pure-tone hearing threshold measures and cognitive flexibility. Pure tone air conduction audiometry (frequencies 0.125–8.0 kHz) and two tests of cognitive flexibility (information updating and shifting ability) were conducted. Study sample: Seventy-two subjects (aged between 21 and 36) with normal hearing (<20 dB HL) for the tested frequencies. Results: Four measures of average pure tone hearing thresholds were negatively correlated with cognitive flexibility. Conclusions: Pure-tone air conduction hearing thresholds seem to be related to cognitive flexibility in healthy individuals with normal hearing.
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| 3. |
- Brännström, K. Jonas, et al.
(author)
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Increasing cognitive interference modulates the amplitude of the auditory brainstem response
- 2018
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In: Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 1050-0545 .- 2157-3107. ; 29:6, s. 512-519
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Despite the presence of efferent neural pathways from the cortex to brainstem, evidence for cognitive inhibition and sensory gating on the auditory brainstem has been mixed. Some previous studies have suggested auditory brainstem responses (ABR) can be affected by cognitive load whereas others have not. Purpose: The present study explores if the ABR recorded from adults with normal hearing was affected by increased cognitive load involving cognitive interference. Research Design: Within-subject repeated measures. Study Sample: Twenty young adults with normal hearing (ten females and ten males, aged 21–26 yr). Data Collection and Analysis: ABRs were collected with and without cognitive load (a visual Stroop task). Two measures of cognitive interference, that is, the ability to suppress task-irrelevant input, were derived from the performance on the Stroop task. Results: No main effect of cognitive load on ABR wave V amplitudes was found. Participants with higher cognitive interference showed increased response times and larger decreases in ABR wave V amplitudes from the no cognitive load to cognitive load conditions. Conclusions: The present study showed that ABR wave V amplitudes did not change with increased overall cognitive load (cognitive load with and without cognitive interference), but ABR amplitude was related to cognitive interference. Increased cognitive load in the form of increased cognitive interference could trigger cognitive inhibition and/or sensory gating to suppress the processing of task-irrelevant information at the level of the brainstem. This suppression could present as reduced ABR wave V amplitudes.
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| 4. |
- Brännström, K. Jonas, et al.
(author)
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Reading comprehension in quiet and in noise : Effects on immediate and delayed recall in relation to tinnitus and high-frequency hearing thresholds
- 2018
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In: Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 1050-0545 .- 2157-3107. ; 29:6, s. 503-511
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: A common complaint by people with tinnitus is that they experience that the tinnitus causes attention and concentration problems. Previous studies have examined how tinnitus influences cognitive performance on short and intensive cognitive tasks but without proper control of hearing status. Purpose: To examine the impact tinnitus and high-frequency hearing thresholds have on reading comprehension in quiet and in background noise. Research Design: A between-group design with matched control participants. Study Sample: One group of participants with tinnitus (n 5 20) and an age and gender matched control group without tinnitus (n 5 20) participated. Both groups had normal hearing thresholds (20 dB HL at frequencies 0.125 to 8 kHz). Data Collection and Analysis: Measurements were made assessing hearing thresholds and immediate and delayed recall using a reading comprehension test in quiet and in noise. All participants completed the Swedish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and participants with tinnitus also completed the Tinnitus Questionnaire. Results: The groups did not differ in immediate nor delayed recall. Accounting for the effect of age, a significant positive correlation was found between best ear high-frequency pure tone average (HF-PTA; 10000, 12500, and 14000 Hz) and the difference score between immediate and delayed recall in noise. Conclusions: Tinnitus seems to have no effect on immediate and delayed recall in quiet or in background noise when hearing status is controlled for. The detrimental effect of background noise on the processes utilized for efficient encoding into long-term memory is larger in participants with better HF-PTA. More specifically, when reading in noise, participants with better HF-PTA seem to recall less information than participants with poorer HF-PTA.
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| 5. |
- Jonas Brännström, K., et al.
(author)
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Listening effort : Order effects and core executive functions
- 2018
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In: Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 1050-0545 .- 2157-3107. ; 29:8, s. 734-747
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Listening effort seems to depend on input-related listening demands and several factors internal to the individual listener. Input-related demands may be listening in noise compared with listening in quiet, and internal factors may be cognitive functions. Purpose: The purpose was to apply measures of listening effort and perceived listening effort in participants with normal hearing, to determine if there are any presentation order effects, and to explore the relationship between listening effort measured as accuracy, response times, efficiency of information encoding into long-term memory, perceived listening effort, and core executive functions. Research design: A within-subject design with repeated measures was used and a study of relationships between variables was made. Study sample: Thirty-two healthy adults with normal hearing. Data collection and analysis: Participants were tested individually by a listening task using a dual-task paradigm. The listening task was performed in quiet and in multitalker babble noise at 10 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Perceived listening effort and core executive functions (working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility) were also assessed. Results: The measures of listening effort (correct responses, response times, and immediate and delayed listening comprehension) failed to demonstrate increased listening effort in multitalker babble noise (10 dB SNR) compared with quiet, although a significant test order effect was seen for correct responses indicating that participants who first listened in noise did not improve in quiet. Perceived listening effort increased significantly in noise compared with quiet. No relationship was found between measures of listening effort and ratings of perceived listening effort. Working memory and cognitive flexibility were not related to ratings of perceived listening effort. In contrast, better inhibitory control was related to higher ratings in both quiet and in noise. Conclusions: It is possible that the SNR and measures used were not as sensitive as required to measure listening effort behaviorally. In the present experimental setup, prior noise exposure impedes the beneficial effects of performing a task in quiet. Self-reports seem to provide a valid measure of perceived listening effort that is related to the individual's inhibitory control. The present findings suggest that participants with better inhibitory control are more susceptible to the task demand level both in quiet and in noise.
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| 6. |
- Lawrence, Connor, et al.
(author)
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Blue Light Inhibits E. coli, but Decisive Parameters Remain Hidden in the Dark : Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- 2022
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In: Frontiers in Microbiology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-302X. ; 13
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Blue light (400–500 nm) alleviates overexposure risks associated to UV light and has therefore gained increased interest in multiple applications. This meta-analysis deals with decontamination of E. coli through the use of blue light based from nine recent publications identified via a systematic literature search. In these studies, various pathogenic and non-pathogenic E. coli strains grown in nutritional broths were exposed to wavelengths ranging from 395 to 460 nm. Five meta-analyses were performed using Cochrane’s software for meta-analyses (Review Manager): one including all studies to estimate the effect of E. coli reduction and four subgroup-analyses considering reported intensities, wavelengths, exposure dose as well as serovars/pathovars. Random effects models were used. All included studies used colony-forming units to estimate the impact of E. coli reduction. None of the included studies involved an organic matrix (e.g., skin, food related surface). Exposure to blue light had a significant and large reducing effect on viable counts of E. coli. However, substantial heterogeneity across studies was observed. Among subgroups, reported intensity and wavelength showed the clearest impact on E. coli reduction. With respect to the reported exposure dose, the picture across the spectrum was scattered, but effect sizes tend to increase with increasing exposure dose. Substantial heterogeneity was also present with respect to all serovar/pathovar subgroups among the included studies. The present body of reports does not display a strong basis for recommendation of relevant intensities, wavelengths and exposure doses for superficial blue light decontamination in medical or food safety contexts. A serious shortcoming in most studies is the absence of a clear documentation of inoculum preparation and of study parameters. We suggest improvement for study protocols for future investigations.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Waechter, Sebastian
(author)
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Association between hearing status and tinnitus distress
- 2021
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In: Acta Oto-Laryngologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1651-2251 .- 0001-6489.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundDegree of distress perceived due to tinnitus is different in every individual. Underlying mechanisms for this are yet unclear.ObjectiveInvestigating the relationship between hearing status and tinnitus distress.Material and methodsThis is a case-control study. 38 individuals with tinnitus, divided into normal hearing (NHT, n = 19) and hearing impaired (HIT, n = 19) groups. Groups were age- and sex matched, had similar educational background, tinnitus duration and lateralization. Participants underwent audiometric evaluation (0.125 to 16 kHz), completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).ResultsNHT group showed significantly lower degrees of tinnitus distress compared to HIT group (p = .021), and THI score was positively correlated with mean tinnitus sided hearing thresholds at 0.5–4 kHz (r = 0.420, p = .012) when corrected for sex, age and educational background.ConclusionsThe present study suggests hearing status may play critical role for experienced tinnitus distress, even in individuals with mild to moderate hearing impairment.SignificanceThis is the first study to investigate the relationship between behavioral hearing ability and tinnitus distress when controlling for age, sex, educational background and age at tinnitus onset. The results provide important information regarding management of tinnitus patients.
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| 9. |
- Waechter, Sebastian, et al.
(author)
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Extended High Frequency Hearing, but Not Tinnitus, Is Associated With Every-Day Cognitive Performance
- 2022
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In: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-1078. ; 13, s. 1-11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Research into the potential associations between tinnitus and cognition has investigated specific cognitive domains in laboratory settings despite adults with tinnitus reporting broad cognitive difficulties in every-day life. To address this limitation, the present study compared performance and perceived exertion on a visual office-like task in 38 adults with tinnitus (19 with normal hearing and 19 with hearing loss) and 38 adults without tinnitus (19 with normal hearing and 19 with hearing loss) matched for age, sex and educational background. All participants were also assessed for hearing, anxiety and depression, and participants with tinnitus were also assessed for tinnitus handicap. No associations were found between presence of tinnitus and cognitive performance (mean total rate correct score on the visual office-like task being 2.9 for the tinnitus group, 2.8 for the control group, p = 0.612) and perceived exertion (mean ratings of perceived exertion on the Borg CR10-scale being 5.8 for the tinnitus group, 6.5 for the control group, p = 0.063) on the visual office-like task when corrected for standard (0.125 to 8 kHz) and extended high frequency (10 to 16 kHz) hearing thresholds, anxiety, and depression. The correction for extended high frequency average (10, 12.5, 14, and 16 kHz) hearing threshold was significant for performance ( p = 0.009) but not perceived exertion on the visual office-like task. Overall, the results showed extended high frequency hearing, but not tinnitus, was associated with every-day cognitive performance. This indicates clinical testing of hearing thresholds above 8 kHz could support clinicians' identification and management of cognitive difficulties. One management method suggested by the current findings would include provision of auditory stimulation at frequencies exceeding the frequency response of many current hearing aids.
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| 10. |
- Waechter, Sebastian, et al.
(author)
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Hearing Aids Mitigate Tinnitus, But Does It Matter if the Patient Receives Amplification in Accordance With Their Hearing Impairment or Not? A Meta-Analysis
- 2022
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In: American Journal of Audiology. - 1558-9137. ; 31:3, s. 789-818
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: The purpose of the present meta-analysis is to explore the potential effects of objective verification of hearing aid amplification on tinnitus-related outcomes.Method: Twenty-seven studies reporting tinnitus outcomes pre and post hearing aid fitting were identified through a systematic literature search. From these studies, data from 1,400 participants were included in the present meta-analysis. Studies were divided into subgroups based on whether they had reported performing objective verification of the participants' hearing aid amplification or not. Outcome measures were tinnitus distress and tinnitus loudness.Results: Meta-analyses of all included studies indicated verified amplification to result in significantly enhanced reduction of tinnitus loudness (p < .00001), while the enhanced reduction of tinnitus distress only approached statistical significance (p = .07). However, when excluding an outlier from the subgroup of studies using unverified amplification, individuals receiving verified amplification showed significantly greater reduction of tinnitus distress (p = .02). In addition, analyses of longitudinal effects revealed that the reductions of tinnitus distress decreased over time among individuals receiving unverified amplification but increased over time among individuals receiving verified amplification.Conclusions: The present meta-analysis indicates verified hearing aid amplification to be superior to unverified amplification in terms of reduction of tinnitus loudness and distress. The longitudinal increase of mitigation of tinnitus distress with verified amplification only may reflect improved neural reorganization and/or better adherence to hearing aid use, with verified compared to unverified amplification. Due to the low cost of hearing aid verification compared to the high societal cost of tinnitus, objective verification of hearing aid amplification for tinnitus patients is recommended.
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