Auditory decision-making deficits after permanent noise-induced hearing loss

Abstract Loud noise exposure is one of the leading causes of permanent hearing loss. Individuals with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) suffer from speech comprehension deficits and experience impairments to cognitive functions such as attention and decision-making. Here, we investigate the specific...

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Main Authors: Madeline P. Berns, Genesis M. Nunez, Xingeng Zhang, Anindita Chavan, Klavdia Zemlianova, Todd M. Mowery, Justin D. Yao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83374-8
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author Madeline P. Berns
Genesis M. Nunez
Xingeng Zhang
Anindita Chavan
Klavdia Zemlianova
Todd M. Mowery
Justin D. Yao
author_facet Madeline P. Berns
Genesis M. Nunez
Xingeng Zhang
Anindita Chavan
Klavdia Zemlianova
Todd M. Mowery
Justin D. Yao
author_sort Madeline P. Berns
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Loud noise exposure is one of the leading causes of permanent hearing loss. Individuals with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) suffer from speech comprehension deficits and experience impairments to cognitive functions such as attention and decision-making. Here, we investigate the specific underlying cognitive processes during auditory perceptual decision-making that are impacted by NIHL. Gerbils were trained to perform an auditory decision-making task that involves discriminating between slow and fast presentation rates of amplitude-modulated (AM) noise. Decision-making task performance was assessed across pre- versus post-NIHL sessions within the same gerbils. A single exposure session (2 h) to loud broadband noise (120 dB SPL) produced permanent NIHL with elevated threshold shifts in auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). Following NIHL, decision-making task performance was tested at sensation levels comparable to those prior to noise exposure in all animals. Our findings demonstrate NIHL diminished perceptual acuity, reduced attentional focus, altered choice bias, and slowed down evidence accumulation speed. Finally, video-tracking analysis of motor behavior during task performance demonstrates that NIHL can impact sensory-guided decision-based motor execution. Together, these results suggest that NIHL impairs the sensory, cognitive, and motor factors that support auditory decision-making.
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spelling doaj-art-0b04e0ff63a847569ca72ff3ec69a6b12025-01-19T12:18:09ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111210.1038/s41598-024-83374-8Auditory decision-making deficits after permanent noise-induced hearing lossMadeline P. Berns0Genesis M. Nunez1Xingeng Zhang2Anindita Chavan3Klavdia Zemlianova4Todd M. Mowery5Justin D. Yao6Department of Psychology – Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyBrain Health Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Nelson Biological Laboratory D418Brain Health Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Nelson Biological Laboratory D418Brain Health Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Nelson Biological Laboratory D418Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolDepartment of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolAbstract Loud noise exposure is one of the leading causes of permanent hearing loss. Individuals with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) suffer from speech comprehension deficits and experience impairments to cognitive functions such as attention and decision-making. Here, we investigate the specific underlying cognitive processes during auditory perceptual decision-making that are impacted by NIHL. Gerbils were trained to perform an auditory decision-making task that involves discriminating between slow and fast presentation rates of amplitude-modulated (AM) noise. Decision-making task performance was assessed across pre- versus post-NIHL sessions within the same gerbils. A single exposure session (2 h) to loud broadband noise (120 dB SPL) produced permanent NIHL with elevated threshold shifts in auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). Following NIHL, decision-making task performance was tested at sensation levels comparable to those prior to noise exposure in all animals. Our findings demonstrate NIHL diminished perceptual acuity, reduced attentional focus, altered choice bias, and slowed down evidence accumulation speed. Finally, video-tracking analysis of motor behavior during task performance demonstrates that NIHL can impact sensory-guided decision-based motor execution. Together, these results suggest that NIHL impairs the sensory, cognitive, and motor factors that support auditory decision-making.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83374-8Auditory decision-makingNoise-induced hearing lossAuditory brainstem responseDrift–diffusion modelEvidence accumulation
spellingShingle Madeline P. Berns
Genesis M. Nunez
Xingeng Zhang
Anindita Chavan
Klavdia Zemlianova
Todd M. Mowery
Justin D. Yao
Auditory decision-making deficits after permanent noise-induced hearing loss
Scientific Reports
Auditory decision-making
Noise-induced hearing loss
Auditory brainstem response
Drift–diffusion model
Evidence accumulation
title Auditory decision-making deficits after permanent noise-induced hearing loss
title_full Auditory decision-making deficits after permanent noise-induced hearing loss
title_fullStr Auditory decision-making deficits after permanent noise-induced hearing loss
title_full_unstemmed Auditory decision-making deficits after permanent noise-induced hearing loss
title_short Auditory decision-making deficits after permanent noise-induced hearing loss
title_sort auditory decision making deficits after permanent noise induced hearing loss
topic Auditory decision-making
Noise-induced hearing loss
Auditory brainstem response
Drift–diffusion model
Evidence accumulation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83374-8
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