Imaging the Effects of Noise on Hearing

Exposing hidden hearing damage by using MRI to see brain changes caused by noise.

Since 2009, many hearing labs around the world have been on the hunt for hidden hearing damage in humans. In particular, they have looked for evidence of noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy: destruction of the synapses connecting the inner ear to the auditory nerve, which, in animals, can be caused by excessive noise.

Synaptopathy research in humans has produced inconclusive results. One obstacle is the lack of direct measures of synaptopathy; without cutting into the inner ear, we can’t be certain if the damage is there!

For some kinds of research, using large samples and/or longitudinal research designs, this might be adequate – we can get away with using indirect tests. But being able to observe the damage directly is preferable.

What we’re doing

University of Nottingham neuroimaging experts Dr Rebecca Dewey and Professor Sue Francis have been gradually and painstakingly developing MRI methods to reveal nerve and brain changes caused by noise.

Over 2022-2024, Rebecca is scanning 200 adults, mostly in the age range 30-50, with and without a history of noise exposure.

Taking part

You may be eligible to take part if you:

• are aged 30-50
• don’t have long-standing hearing loss (present since birth or childhood)
• can get to the University of Nottingham for testing
• have no metal in your body that would make an MRI scan unsafe