Enhanced brainstem phase-locking in low-level noise reveals stochastic resonance in the frequency-following response (FFR).

ABSTRACT: In nonlinear systems, the inclusion of low-level noise can paradoxically improve signal detection, a phenomenon known as stochastic resonance (SR). SR has been observed in human hearing whereby sensory thresholds (e.g., signal detection and discrimination) are enhanced in the presence of noise. Here, we asked whether subcortical auditory processing (neural phase locking) shows evidence of SR. We recorded brainstem frequency-following-responses (FFRs) in young, normal-hearing listeners to near-electrophysiological-threshold (40 dB SPL) complex tones composed of 10 iso-amplitude harmonics of 150 Hz fundamental frequency (F0) presented concurrent with low-level noise (+20 to -20 dB SNRs). Though variable and weak across ears, some listeners showed improvement in auditory detection thresholds

SUBMITTER: Shukla B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8490316 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature