Peder O Laugen Heggdal1, Jonas Brännström2, Hans Jørgen Aarstad3, Flemming S Vassbotn4, Karsten Specht5. 1. Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies Vei 87, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, PB 1400, 5021 Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: peder.heggdal@helse-bergen.no. 2. Department of Clinical Science, Section of Logopedics, Phoniatrics and Audiology, Lund University, Box 117, 221 00 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: jonas.brannstrom@med.lu.se. 3. Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies Vei 87, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, PB 1400, 5021 Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: hans.jorgen.aarstad@helse-bergen.no. 4. Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies Vei 87, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, PB 1400, 5021 Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: flemming.slinning.vassbotn@helse-bergen.no. 5. Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, PB 7807, 5020 Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Engineering, Haukeland University Hospital, PB 1400, 5021 Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: karsten.specht@uib.no.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to provide a review of studies using neuroimaging to measure functional-structural reorganisation of the neuronal network for auditory perception after unilateral hearing loss. DESIGN: A literature search was performed in PubMed. Search criterions were peer reviewed original research papers in English completed by the 11th of March 2015. STUDY SAMPLE: Twelve studies were found to use neuroimaging in subjects with unilateral hearing loss. An additional five papers not identified by the literature search were provided by a reviewer. Thus, a total of 17 studies were included in the review. RESULTS: Four different neuroimaging methods were used in these studies: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (n = 11), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) (n = 4), T1/T2 volumetric images (n = 2), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) (n = 1). One study utilized two imaging methods (fMRI and T1 volumetric images). CONCLUSION: Neuroimaging techniques could provide valuable information regarding the effects of unilateral hearing loss on both auditory and non-auditory performance. fMRI-studies showing a bilateral BOLD-response in patients with unilateral hearing loss have not yet been followed by DTI studies confirming their microstructural correlates. In addition, the review shows that an auditory modality-specific deficit could affect multi-modal brain regions and their connections.
OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to provide a review of studies using neuroimaging to measure functional-structural reorganisation of the neuronal network for auditory perception after unilateral hearing loss. DESIGN: A literature search was performed in PubMed. Search criterions were peer reviewed original research papers in English completed by the 11th of March 2015. STUDY SAMPLE: Twelve studies were found to use neuroimaging in subjects with unilateral hearing loss. An additional five papers not identified by the literature search were provided by a reviewer. Thus, a total of 17 studies were included in the review. RESULTS: Four different neuroimaging methods were used in these studies: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (n = 11), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) (n = 4), T1/T2 volumetric images (n = 2), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) (n = 1). One study utilized two imaging methods (fMRI and T1 volumetric images). CONCLUSION: Neuroimaging techniques could provide valuable information regarding the effects of unilateral hearing loss on both auditory and non-auditory performance. fMRI-studies showing a bilateral BOLD-response in patients with unilateral hearing loss have not yet been followed by DTI studies confirming their microstructural correlates. In addition, the review shows that an auditory modality-specific deficit could affect multi-modal brain regions and their connections.