fMRI of the central auditory system

Abstract

Challenges for auditory fMRI include the intense scanner acoustic sound and the effects of the magnetic field on sound delivery equipment and on electronic hearing devices. Despite these difficulties, a number of neuroimaging studies in humans provide some evidence for plasticity in the central auditory system and are therefore informative in the clinical context. This chapter presents several of those major clinical applications of fMRI that investigate the processing of basic (i.e., nonlinguistic) sound features. Specifically, these include studies of the functional reorganization of the central auditory system as a consequence of adaptation to hearing loss and its remediation through amplification and the assessment of candidature for cochlear implantation. While the chapter illustrates opportunities for auditory fMRI to supplement the clinical decision-making process, it also highlights specific areas where there is a current lack of understanding. Recommendations for future clinical research are proposed.