Quiet time during lockdown: Is it really a chance for our ears to rest?’

The next ManCAD-BAA online journal club will take place on Friday 17th July from 1-2 pm. It is titled ‘Quiet time during lockdown: Is it really a chance for our ears to rest?’  and will focus on the paper by Mayakita et al,1992 Low-level exposure reduces TTS_in_humans.

Here is an introduction by Sam Couth, our presenter:

The paper to be discussed is from nearly 30 years ago! At that time, it was shown that a low-level “training” noise could be used to reduce temporary threshold shifts (TTS) in humans following exposure to a high-intensity noise-suggesting that ears become less vulnerable to noise if they are trained through exposure to high-intensity sounds. Notably, TTSs returned to baseline once training was stopped. Fast-forward to the present day, and this research may be particularly relevant in that during lockdown we have all had quieter lifestyles (i.e. no amplified concerts or nightclubs). Could this mean that any tolerance or toughening of the ears that had built pre-lockdown has now dissipated? Or could it mean this prolonged period of quiet time has provided essential R&R for our ears?

I will draw upon this 1992 paper as well as some more recent research findings to discuss the possible mechanisms involved in toughening of the ears and the potential for recovery, and also what this could mean for our hearing post-lockdown if we start attending loud concerts and nightclubs once more. Will our ears have lost their tenacity, or will they be refreshed and ready to go once more?

Come and join the conversation. There is no need to register – just join if you wish.

You can read the paper in advance if you like, but this is certainly not a requirement.

As always, the meeting will be very informal. Sam will give a short presentation and then the group will discuss the paper and thoughts and ideas that arise.

If you want information about how to join email gabrielle.saunders@manchester.ac.uk