Noise-induced neurodegeneration in the central auditory pathway. An overview of experimental studies in a mouse model

A noise trauma induces central nervous system pathologies, which generate deficits in hearing and perception of sound. Are degenerative mechanisms in the central auditory system a direct impact of overstimulation or an effect of acoustic deprivation? Detection of cell death in a mouse model of noise-induced hearing loss at different times after single or repeated noise exposure. A single noise exposure (3aEuroh, 115aEurodB SPL, 5-20aEurokHz) induces acute (ae1 day) and long-term (observation period 14 days) degeneration, particularly in subcortical structures. Repeated noise trauma is followed by pathologies in the auditory thalamus and cortex. Noise has a direct impact on basal structures of the central auditory system; a protection of cortical areas is possibly due to inhibitory neuronal projections. Degenerative mechanisms in higher structures of the pre-damaged system point to an increased impairment of complex processing of acoustic information.