The current study employs functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the relation between peripheral hearing loss, tinnitus and cortical reorganization. In particular, it aims to map the topographic representation of sound frequency…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Hearing disorders
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The primary objective is to measure, characterize, and quantify the amount of
neural plasticity, described as reorganisation of tonotopic maps in the
auditory cortex using fMRI. Statistical assessments will be carried out to
determine whether tonotopic maps differ in groups of subjects with hearing loss
and subjects with hearing loss and tinnitus, both compared to normal hearing
controls.
Secondary outcome
In addition to the primary objective, the secondary objective is to measure the
relation between the type of hearing loss (a steep-sloping and gradual-sloping
hearing loss, respectively) and the degree of tonotopic reorganization.
Statistical assessments will be carried out whether tonotopic maps differ
between the groups of subjects with a steep-sloping hearing loss and subjects
with a gradual-sloping hearing loss. Both groups will be compared to normal
hearing controls.
Background summary
With an increased life expectancy and an ageing population, age-related
dysfunctions are becoming more prevalent. The most widespread of all sensory
impairments in an ageing population is hearing loss, which is characterized by
a loss of sensitivity of the peripheral hearing organ, the inner ear. This
peripheral hearing loss is associated with less sensory input available to the
brain. Animal research has shown that peripheral hearing loss may cause
widespread plastic changes in the brain. Peripheral hearing loss is often
associated with tinnitus: about 30% of the people with hearing loss also
develop tinnitus. It has been suggested previously that tinnitus and tonotopic
reorganization are causally related 1-3. Such cortical reorganization
presumably contributes to the impaired communication skills experienced by
humans with hearing loss. With an increasing demand for active participation of
the elderly in society, it is crucially important to understand the
neurobiological consequences of hearing loss and tinnitus.
Study objective
The current study employs functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to
investigate the relation between peripheral hearing loss, tinnitus and cortical
reorganization. In particular, it aims to map the topographic representation of
sound frequency, referred to as tonotopic maps, and how these change as a
consequence of tinnitus and hearing loss. It also aims to investigate whether
the type of hearing loss is related to the degree of reorganization.
Study design
Three-group exploratory study.
Study burden and risks
The clinical diagnostic tests involve several audiometric tests, and the
administration of questionnaires (approx. 1.5-2 hours). A single fMRI scanning
session will also take place (approx. 2 hours). None of the procedures expose
the subject to known risks.
Hanzeplein 1
Groningen 9700 RB
NL
Hanzeplein 1
Groningen 9700 RB
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
No hearing loss or reported tinnitus (controls, n=40)
Hearing loss (Hearing loss group, n=40)
Tinnitus (Hearing loss and tinnitus group, n=40)
< 30 dB difference between both ears for all the standard audiometric frequencies
Adults (18 - 75 yrs.)
No contraindications for MRI
Exclusion criteria
Non-compliance with inclusion criteria
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL44470.042.13 |
| OMON | NL-OMON27684 |