Hearing loss from intense noise exposure and ototoxic drugs greatly reduces the neural output of the cochlea. Despite a reduced cochlear output, neural activity in the central auditory pathway often becomes hyperactive at suprathreshold intensities indicative of Enhanced Central Gain. Enhanced Central Gain is believed to be responsible for hyperacusis, a condition in which listeners experience everyday sounds as unbearably loud or even painful. The goals of this project are: (1) Determine if Enhanced Central Gain is responsible for the temporal and spectral features of hyperacusis, (2) Determine how the acoustic environment (sound enrichment/deprivation) modulates hyperacusis/loudness growth and Central Gain and (3) Determine how serotonin and GABA agonists/antagonists affect hyperacusis and Central Gain. The proposed studies will increase our understanding of the neural mechanisms of hyperacusis and test the efficacy of pharmacological agents to treat hyperacusis.

Public Health Relevance

Individuals with cochlear hearing loss suffer from hyperacusis (loudness intolerance), a condition thought to arise from increased neural gain in the central auditory pathway. A series of experiments is planned to: (1) determine if the time course and spectral features of increased Central Gain matches the time course and spectral properties of hyperacusis (2) determine how acoustic stimulation/deprivation affects hyperacusis, loudness growth and Central Gain and (3) assess the effects of serotonergic and GABAergic drugs on hyperacusis and Central Gain. The proposed studies will provide both clinical and basic science insights relevant to understanding and treating hyperacusis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC014693-02
Application #
9223693
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-B (02)M)
Program Officer
Miller, Roger
Project Start
2016-04-01
Project End
2021-03-31
Budget Start
2017-04-01
Budget End
2018-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$408,327
Indirect Cost
$152,322
Name
State University of New York at Buffalo
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
038633251
City
Amherst
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14228
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