Brain changes in adults with hearing loss in one ear v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Physiological changes in the central auditory system of adults with long-term unilateral conductive hearing loss
IRAS ID
141675
Contact name
Michael Maslin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Research summary
This study aims to investigate the brain activity of adults with a hearing loss in one ear.
Previous research has demonstrated altered brain activity in adults with one-sided hearing loss compared to those with two normally functioning ears. However, these studies have not been representative of a normal clinical population as the hearing losses were surgically induced. The participants in this study will have a longstanding hearing loss in one ear caused by a disorder of the middle ear often caused by congestion or abnormal bone structure. Therefore, the research can be applied to a wider clinical population. Furthermore, as the study population have normally functioning hearing nerves in both ears, it is possible to stimulate the affected ear and observe the resulting brain activity, which has not possible in previous studies.
This research is important because it demonstrates altered structure and function of the hearing centres of the brain following a hearing loss. It is thought that this research may demonstrate an increase in brain activity following a hearing loss in one ear, which may suggest that the brain increases sound to compensate for the loss. This could be used to guide adult hearing rehabilitation.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1223
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion