Effect of Music Exposure on Online Subcortical Plasticity

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate influence of music exposure on the online plasticity of auditory system. The online plasticity was documented using context-dependent changes of speech evoked brainstem responses, which in turn was compared across musicians, music listeners and, non-music listeners. Speech perception in noise was recorded as a behavioral index of online plasticity. The experimental data was collected on 30 normal hearing Adults. The results •showed that speech perception in noise was better in musicians than that in other two groups. Whereas online plasticity was similar in the three groups. The enhanced speech perception in noise in musicians has been attributed to the training related changes in the olivocohlear bundle. The music exposure however; did not influence the online plasticity. The findings of the study support that only the active task like singing or playing an instrument is advantageous for speech perception in noise.