Noise-induced enhancement of envelope following responses in normal-hearing adults

J Acoust Soc Am. 2020 Feb;147(2):EL201. doi: 10.1121/10.0000627.

Abstract

Measures of signal-in-noise neural encoding may improve understanding of the hearing-in-noise difficulties experienced by many individuals in everyday life. Usually noise results in weaker envelope following responses (EFRs); however, some studies demonstrate EFR enhancements. This experiment tested whether noise-induced enhancements in EFRs are demonstrated with simple 500- and 1000-Hz pure tones amplitude modulated at 110 Hz. Most of the 12 young normal-hearing participants demonstrated enhanced encoding of the 110-Hz fundamental in a noise background compared to quiet; in contrast, responses at the harmonics were decreased in noise relative to quiet conditions. Possible mechanisms of such an enhancement are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Adult
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory*
  • Hearing
  • Humans
  • Noise* / adverse effects