Changes of temporal coding in inferior colliculus and auditory cortex of the guinea pig after cochlear lesion

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This project will investigate the changes of temporal coding of neurons in low frequency region of inferior colliculus (IC) and auditory cortex (AC) after damage is created in high frequency region in cochleae (the auditory part of inner ears). Previous studies have suggested that the impact of cochlear lesion is not confined to the auditory peripheral, but extends to central auditory system (CAS) as well. Consequently, plastic changes in the processing of frequency, intensity as well as temporal features of sound have been associated in CAS with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). However, a comprehensive understanding in temporal processing problem due to SNHL is not available. Specifically, it is not clear whether and how high-frequency SNHL, the most common pattern of SNHL for the elderly, will produce "off-channel" impact on the temporal processing in the low-frequency region as it has been demonstrated in intensity and frequency coding. This will be the focus of the proposed study.