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fMRI of the Central Auditory System

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Functional Neuroradiology

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Abstract

Challenges for auditory fMRI include the intense scanner acoustic sound and the effects of the magnetic field on sound delivery equipment and on electronic hearing devices. Despite these difficulties, a number of neuroimaging studies in humans provide some evidence for plasticity in the central auditory system and are therefore informative in the clinical context. This chapter presents several of those major clinical applications of fMRI that investigate the processing of basic (i.e., nonlinguistic) sound features. Specifically, these include studies of the functional reorganization of the central auditory system as a consequence of adaptation to hearing loss and its remediation through amplification and the assessment of candidature for cochlear implantation. While the chapter illustrates opportunities for auditory fMRI to supplement the clinical decision-making process, it also highlights specific areas where there is a current lack of understanding. Recommendations for future clinical research are proposed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Biomedical Research Unit in Hearing, Ropewalk House, 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham, NG1 5DU, UK

    Deborah A. Hall BSc, PhD (Professor)

  2. Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4BU, UK

    Deborah A. Hall BSc, PhD (Professor)

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  1. Deborah A. Hall BSc, PhD
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Correspondence to Deborah A. Hall BSc, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Temple University School of Medicine, 3401 Broad Street, Philadelphia, 19140-5189, Pennsylvania, USA

    Scott H. Faro

  2. Dept. of Radiology, Temple University Hospital, 3401 Broad Street, Philadelphia, 19140-5189, Pennsylvania, USA

    Feroze B. Mohamed

  3. , Radiology, University of Southern California School, Zonal Avenue 1975, Los Angeles, 90033, California, USA

    Meng Law

  4. , Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Watertown Plank Road 8701, Milwaukee, 53226, USA

    John T. Ulmer

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Hall, D.A. (2011). fMRI of the Central Auditory System. In: Faro, S., Mohamed, F., Law, M., Ulmer, J. (eds) Functional Neuroradiology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0345-7_29

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0345-7_29

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-0345-7

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