Neural network model of noise-induced hearing loss

描述：拟议工作的目标是开发一个使用径向基函数神经网络(RBFNN)的预测模型，该模型将在栗鼠模型中预测过度噪声暴露的听觉后果。RBFNN模型将从我们现有的数据库(Chinchilla)中获得训练数据，该数据库包含噪声暴露指标和从先前暴露的动物获得的听力/组织学/耳声发射数据。一旦训练，该模型将能够预测暴露在任何噪声环境中的听觉后果，该噪声环境的特征是输入到该模型的10个噪声度量和5个动物生物变量。这项研究分为两个阶段。第一阶段是系统结构和执行软件的设计(一年级)。第二阶段涉及使用一个由2500多名受试者组成的广泛数据库对该系统进行培训，这些受试者有全面的暴露和听力/组织学数据(第2年)。训练期将是一个迭代过程，其中径向基函数神经网络将随着训练的进行而修改。该预测模型还可用于设计实验条件，从中可以对模型进行实验验证。将径向基函数神经网络成功地应用于噪声诱发听觉效应的预测，具有相当大的潜力应用于工业和军事噪声环境的评估，以保护人类的听力，并可大大节省开发新的和改进的噪声标准所需的工作量/资源。具体地说，鉴于栗鼠和人类对噪声的反应有许多相似之处，该模型可用于识别暴露参数的组合，这些参数组合是损害的重要决定因素，也适用于人类暴露条件。龙猫模型可以被用作开发人体模型的模板或指南，可能是从一些现有的人类数据中开发出当前的标准。

DESCRIPTION: The objective of the proposed work is to develop a prediction model using radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) that will predict the auditory consequences of excessive noise exposure in a chinchilla model. The RBFNN model will be fed training data from our existing database (chinchilla) consisting of noise exposure metrics and audiometric/histological/otoacoustic emission data acquired from previously exposed animals. Once trained, the model will be able to predict the auditory consequences of exposure to any noise environment characterized by ten noise metrics and five biological variables of the animals that are input to the model. There are two phases to this research. The first phase is the design of the system structure and implementation software (Year 1). The second phase involves training the system using an extensive database consisting of more than 2500 subjects on which comprehensive exposure and audiometric/histological data are available (Year 2). The training period will be an iterative process in which the RBFNN will be modified as training proceeds. The prediction model can also be used to design experimental conditions from which the model can be experimentally tested. The successful demonstration of the application of a RBFNN to the prediction of noise-induced auditory effects has considerable potential for application to the assessment of industrial and military noise environments for the protection of hearing in humans, and can result in a considerable savings in the amount of work/resources that are needed to develop new and improved noise standards. Specifically, given the many similarities in the response to noise of the chinchilla and the human, the model can be used to identify combinations of parameters of an exposure that are important determinants of damage that would also be applicable to human exposure conditions. The chinchilla model can be used as a template or a guide for developing a human model possibly from some of the existing human data from which current standards were developed.