Biology subjects

Barnett, N. V.

Publications and source records attributed to Barnett, N. V..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Subject Instructions for Improved Characterization of Auditory Representations Using Reverse Correlation

Reverse Correlation (RC) is an established method for reconstructing auditory representations, that has recently emerged as a tool for characterizing the sounds experienced by tinnitus patients. Toward further optimizing RC for auditory research, the present work investigated the influence of subject instructions on characterization quality of tinnitus-like sounds. A validation study was conducted in which eighteen normal-hearing subjects were randomly assigned one of three candidate instruction sets, each inspired by the RC literature. Results show a significant effect of instruction set on characterization quality, and reveal that instructing subjects to detect a hidden signal in the RC stimuli resulted the best reconstruction.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2023

Reverse Correlation Characterizes More Complete Tinnitus Spectra in Patients

GoalWe validate a recent reverse correlation approach to tinnitus characterization by applying it to individuals with clinically-diagnosed tinnitus. MethodsTwo tinnitus patients assessed the subjective similarity of their non-tonal tinnitus percepts and random auditory stimuli. Regression of the responses onto the stimuli yielded reconstructions which were evaluated qualitatively by playing back resynthesized waveforms to the subjects and quantitatively by response prediction analysis. ResultsSubject 1 preferred their resynthesis to white noise; subject 2 did not. Response prediction balanced accuracies were significantly higher than chance across subjects: subject 1: 0.5963, subject 2: 0.6922. ConclusionReverse correlation can provide the foundation for reconstructing accurate representations of complex, non-tonal tinnitus in clinically diagnosed subjects. Further refinements may yield highly similar waveforms to individualized tinnitus percepts. Impact StatementCharacterization of tinnitus sounds can help clarify the heterogeneous nature of the condition and link etiology to subtypes and treatments.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2022

Reverse Correlation Uncovers More Complete Tinnitus Spectra

GoalThis study validates an approach to characterizing the sounds experienced by tinnitus patients via reverse correlation, with potential for characterizing a wider range of sounds than currently possible. MethodsTen normal-hearing subjects assessed the subjective similarity of random auditory stimuli and target tinnitus-like sounds ("buzzing" and "roaring"). Reconstructions of the targets were obtained by regressing subject responses on the stimuli, and were compared for accuracy to the frequency spectra of the targets using Pearsons r. ResultsReconstruction accuracy was significantly higher than chance across subjects: buzzing (M = 0.53, SD = 0.27): t(9) = 5.766, p < 0.001; roaring (M = 0.57, SD = 0.30): t(9) = 5.76, p < 0.001. ConclusionReverse correlation can accurately reconstruct nontonal tinnitus-like sounds in normal-hearing subjects, indicating its potential for characterizing the sounds experienced by patients with non-tonal tinnitus. Impact StatementCharacterization of tinnitus sounds can inform treatment by facilitating individualized sound therapies, leading to better outcomes for patients suffering from the cognitive and psychological effects of tinnitus.

bioengineering↗