A review of the effects of unilateral hearing loss on spatial hearing

Hearing Research
Daniel P Kumpik, A J King

Abstract

The capacity of the auditory system to extract spatial information relies principally on the detection and interpretation of binaural cues, i.e., differences in the time of arrival or level of the sound between the two ears. In this review, we consider the effects of unilateral or asymmetric hearing loss on spatial hearing, with a focus on the adaptive changes in the brain that may help to compensate for an imbalance in input between the ears. Unilateral hearing loss during development weakens the brain's representation of the deprived ear, and this may outlast the restoration of function in that ear and therefore impair performance on tasks such as sound localization and spatial release from masking that rely on binaural processing. However, loss of hearing in one ear also triggers a reweighting of the cues used for sound localization, resulting in increased dependence on the spectral cues provided by the other ear for localization in azimuth, as well as adjustments in binaural sensitivity that help to offset the imbalance in inputs between the two ears. These adaptive strategies enable the developing auditory system to compensate to a large degree for asymmetric hearing loss, thereby maintaining accurate sound localization. T...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 9, 2020·Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools·Fred H BessBenjamin W Y Hornsby
Aug 31, 2019·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Kiki van der HeijdenElia Formisano
May 26, 2020·European Archives of Oto-rhino-laryngology : Official Journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : Affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·Chunli ZhaoShouqin Zhao
Apr 9, 2020·Journal of Clinical Medicine·Hillary A Snapp, Sebastian A Ausili
Jul 28, 2020·Cognition·Chiara ValzolgherFrancesco Pavani
Dec 14, 2019·Otology & Neurotology : Official Publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology·Nicholas J ThompsonEmily Buss
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Methods Mentioned

BETA
cochlear implant
cochlear implants

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