Plasticity of the auditory system: theoretical considerations

Abstract

Audi tory plasticity refers to the possibility of anatomical and/or functional changes in the system where transmission of auditory information takes place. The auditory system is often required in communication; it is important to learn how the auditory system reacts to stimuli in order to improve performance in individual communication of subjects with impaired hearing. Aim:To review the literature on auditory plasticity and the possibility and ability of plastic responses in the auditory system; also to review the evidence of auditory plasticity.Methodology: A review of the Brazilian and international literature (journals, books, and graduate studies) was carried out. The MEDLINE, SCIELO, BIREME, PUBMED, and LILACS data bases were consulted, as well as 24 papers from the 1990s to the present date; each paper was assessed for relevance to the topic. Conclusion:The findings showed that the auditory system is able to reorganize itself if there is variation, whether by by reducing, increasing, or conditioning of sound stimuli. This is evidence of plasticity in the auditory system. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;77(5):670-4. REVIEW ARTICLE BJORL

The Effect of LACE DVD Training in New and Experienced Hearing Aid Users

“…Therefore the effect of training in new HA users (between 1 and 6 mo of use) compared to experienced HA users (over 2 yr of use) is largely unknown. One could hypothesize that new users, who have worn aids for more than 1 mo but less than 6 mo, may actually obtain greater benefit from such training than experienced HA users due to the reintroduction of portions of the auditory signal, which may provoke auditory plasticity (Kappel et al, 2011). This is an important issue to investigate as previous research has suggested that new HA users may benefit more from home-based AT than experienced HA users (Stecker et al, 2006).…”

O desempenho de idosos com perda auditiva neurossensorial nos testes de processamento auditivo: um estudo longitudinal

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Glendonald Auditory Screening Procedure (GASP): marcadores clínicos de desenvolvimento das habilidades de reconhecimento e compreensão auditiva em crianças usuárias de implante coclear

“…Thus, the sooner severe or profound hearing loss is diagnosed without benefits with hearing aids, the child should be given the indication of a CI, since early exposure to auditory stimuli and incidental language allows the child to have a greater chance of developing the most complex auditory abilities and spoken language. The specialized literature evidenced a strong correlation between the development of auditory function and the period of CI surgery, with sensory deprivation time and age at implantation considered as one of the main predictors of success in the auditory habilitation and rehabilitation process (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)26) . This is because age is an intrinsic condition for the child, which ensures the normal development of the auditory cortex, necessary for the acquisition of auditory abilities, which are prerequisites for the development of spoken language (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)26) .…”

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