Unraveling the Biology of Auditory Learning: A Cognitive–Sensorimotor–Reward Framework

Abstract

The auditory system is stunning in its capacity for change: a single neuron can modulate its tuning in minutes. Here we articulate a conceptual framework to understand the biology of auditory learning, where an animal must engage cognitive, sensorimotor, and reward systems to spark neural remodeling. Central to our framework is a consideration of the auditory system as an integrated whole that interacts with other circuits to guide and refine life in sound. Despite our emphasis on the auditory system, these principles may apply across the nervous system. Understanding neuroplastic changes in both normal and impaired sensory systems guides strategies to improve everyday communication.

The role of rhythm in perceiving speech in noise: a comparison of percussionists, vocalists and non-musicians

“…We interpret our findings within a framework of experience-based plasticity, consistent with the accumulating body of research demonstrating that musical experience shapes neural and cognitive function (for review, see Kraus and White-Schwoch in press). However, given the cross-sectional design of this study, we are limited in the conclusions that can be drawn regarding causal effects of music training or primary instrument, since there may be preexisting differences between individuals who choose to play music versus those who do not, or between those who choose to sing versus those who choose to play drums or percussion.…”

Native language shapes automatic neural processing of speech

“…Interestingly, the impact of attention on neural activity is evident throughout the auditory system (Perrot et al, 2006). Our results are in line with the recent views of the auditory system, describing auditory perception as an active process that involves interaction between cognitive and sensory levels, where top-down processes take place (Kraus and White-Schwoch, 2015).…”

“…For example, electrical stimulation of the primary auditory cortex modulates activity in subcortical auditory structures such as the inferior colliculus (Gao and Suga, 2000) and the cochlea (Perrot et al, 2006). Together, these studies support the hypothesis that refinement of neuronal representations to native speech sounds is a result of continuous interactions between primary and associative auditory structures and subcortical auditory structures (Kraus and Chandrasekaran, 2010;Tzounopoulos and Kraus, 2009) and are consistent with an emerging view of the auditory system as a distributed, but integrated, circuit (Kraus and White-Schwoch, 2015).…”

Individual Differences in Rhythm Skills: Links with Neural Consistency and Linguistic Ability

“…Variability in slower, low-frequency cortical processing, therefore, may interfere with rhythm sequencing but not synchronization. Although we draw lines along a fast vs. slow and subcortical vs. cortical dichotomy, we view auditory processing as the product of a distributed, but integrated, network of cortical, subcortical, and cochlear circuits (Kraus & White-Schwoch, 2015). A hypothesis derived from this framework is that system-wide pathways specialize for faster and slower auditory processing, and that in humans the FFR reflects faster processing whereas the cortical evoked response to sound reflects slower processing.…”