In Auditory biological Marker of concussion in children (2016), Kraus et al. explore fundamental frequency processing as a potential measure of concussions. The researchers studied the auditory processing skills of children from a sports medicine clinic against that of a control group. Specifically, the participants' EEG was measured as they listened to speech sounds. Neural firing in the midbrain after hearing a speech sound creates an EEG signal called the frequency-following response (FFR). EEG changes from the FFR reveal how precisely the brain encodes pitch frequency. The concussion group showed disrupted fundamental frequency of speech (F0) processing, meaning they have weaker representations of the fundamental frequency.
Dr. Jennifer Krizman gave our class more insight into how this research is pertinent to understanding concussion symptoms. In our AMA at the end of class, Krizman briefly discussed how auditory processing defects may be measured in non-concussed populations like neurodivergent people. Beyond neurodivergent people, many young people have auditory processing issues. Researchers are currently trying to understand where these defects come from. Questions still remain as to how FFR as a biological marker relates to specific auditory processing symptoms.
Can fundamental frequency processing deficits be a biological marker for other auditory processing issues? Similar to concussions, those with auditory processing disorder have hypersensitivity to loud noises. A possible direction for future research is to explore whether this symptom in those with auditory processing disorder is also related to FFR.
Some audiologists are concerned that noise-cancelling headphones are contributing to auditory processing disorder (Karpel, 2025). With noise-cancelling headphones gaining popularity in recent years, exploring how they may impact auditory processing has clinical implications for concussed children and beyond. One 25-year-old named Sophie, for instance, was recently diagnosed with auditory processing disorder. Sophie wears her noise-cancelling headphones for up to 5 hours a day, which her audiologist believes may be harmful for her auditory processing.
Audiologists like Claire Benton suggest that noise-cancelling technology could lead the brain to “forget” how to filter out extraneous noise. Without hearing outside noises like cars beeping and outside conversations, the brain’s ability to quickly determine the significance of sounds could deteriorate. However, there has not yet been conclusive research to determine if noise-cancelling headphones specifically harm auditory processing.
Replicating Kraus et al. (2016) with APD populations and noise-cancelling headphone users could elucidate how noise-cancelling headphones influence auditory perception deficits. Noise-cancelling headphones are especially popular for populations that are sensitive to noise, like those who are concussed or have APD. Understanding this link could reveal a hidden variable harming auditory perception.
Karpel, H. (2025, February 16). Audiologists raise concern over headphone use in young people.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgkjvr7x5x6o
Kraus, N., Thompson, E., Krizman, J. et al. Auditory biological marker of concussion in children. Sci Rep 6, 39009 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep39009
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