Language experience-dependent advantage in pitch representation in the auditory cortex is limited to favorable signal-to-noise ratios.

Language experience-dependent advantage in pitch representation in the auditory cortex is limited to favorable signal-to-noise ratios.
Hear Res. 2017 Sep 14;:
Authors: Suresh CH, Krishnan A, Gandour JT
Abstract
Long-term experience enhances neural representation of temporal attributes of pitch in the brainstem and auditory cortex in favorable listening conditions. Herein we examine whether cortical pitch mechanisms shaped by language experience are more resilient to degradation in background noise, and exhibit greater binaural release from masking (BRM). Cortical pitch responses (CPR) were recorded from Mandarin- and English-speaking natives using a Mandarin word exhibiting a high rising pitch (/yi(2)/). Stimuli were presented diotically in Quiet, and in noise at +5, and 0 dB SNR. CPRs were also recorded in binaural conditions, SONO (where signal and noise were in phase at both ears); or S0Nπ (where signal was in phase and noise 180° out of phase at each ear), using 0 dB SNR. At Fz, both groups showed increase in CPR peak latency and decrease in amplitude with increasing noise level. A language-dependent enhancement of Na-Pb amplitude (Chinese > English) was restricted to Quiet and +5 dB SNR conditions. At T7/T8 electrode sites, Chinese natives exhibited a rightward asymmetry for both CPR components. A language-dependent effect (Chinese > English) was restricted to T8. Regarding BRM, both CPR components showed greate...

Source: Hearing Research - September 14, 2017 Category: Audiology Authors: Suresh CH, Krishnan A, Gandour JT Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research