Sound production during feeding by the pot-bellied seahorse, Hippocampus abdominalis, was quantified with an observation of clicks (acoustic signal) and snicks (visual behavior). Female, male, and juvenile seahorses had feeding sounds characterized for peak (dominant) frequency (Hz), sound pressure level (SPL), and duration (ms). Subject body size and condition was estimated by standard length (SL, cm), to determine an estimate of body condition index (BCI). An inverse correlation between mean peak frequency (Hz) of clicks and SL was found for females. A negative correlation between peak frequency (Hz) of clicks and a residual BCI was determined for both males and females, suggesting that acoustic signals may contain information regarding fitness.

Gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) outer ears close when sedated, requiring appropriate methods to test hearing, circumventing the outer and middle ear (air conduction). Anthropogenic noise exposure (e.g., offshore windfarms) in the marine environment is a risk to seals, requiring appropriate methods for testing hearing. Bone Conduction Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BC-BAER) was investigated in six gray seals to characterize responses elicited by different acoustic stimuli, evaluate the potential of using BC-BAER to estimate hearing sensitivity, and best placement of the bone transducer. Seals were tested in December 2023 and February 2024 during ongoing research at the Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St. Andrews, Scotland. BC-BAER measurements in six seals using broadband click and gated tone bursts stimuli had responses from 250 to 8000 Hz, the limits of the RadioEar-B71 bone transducer. Visual identification of Wave V was used to estimate hearing thresholds. Average threshold values were 45.67 dB re 20 µPa for tone bursts at 8000 Hz, the maximum sensitivity of frequencies tested. Recording of BC-BAER is a viable means of studying hearing in gray seals with the best placement of the RadioEar-B71 bone transducer being the zygomatic process compared to the mastoid.

The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical use of wideband acoustic immittance (WAI) reflectance for middle ear assessment in dogs. Otoscopy and brainstem auditory evoked response testing was performed on all dogs prior to the WAI assessment. Following calibration, dogs were comfortably restrained while the probe was placed into the ear canal to obtain recordings. Testing was repeated for replicability. Repeatable WAI reflectance patterns were observed in 24 dogs, characterized by low-reflectance resonant peaks at approximately 1500-1800 Hz and 3000-4000 Hz. Observed patterns suggest WAI may be a practical means of assessing middle ear function in dogs.

Studies of canine hearing using auditory measures have been ongoing since the 1980s. Congenital deafness has been identified in over 80 breeds of dog. Auditory evoked potentials, specifically, the auditory brainstem response, or brainstem auditory evoked response, is the gold standard for auditory assessment in dogs. Hearing loss in dogs can either be inherited or acquired. Inherited hearing loss results from genetic defects, commonly occurring in dogs with white pigmentation patterns, whereas acquired hearing loss can originate from intrauterine infection, middle ear dysfunction, ototoxicity, presbycusis, or noise exposure. To identify congenital hearing loss a hearing screen is warranted. To identify the type and degree of hearing loss, a diagnostic audiological assessment is warranted. Protocols for screening have been previously identified and adhered to over the past several years; however, standardized protocols specifically for diagnostic testing in dogs vary across the literature. Diagnostic testing should include a battery of audiological measures to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the outer, middle and inner ear, vestibulocochlear nerve and central auditory pathway. Research is ongoing regarding effective and practical assessment approaches in dogs for diagnostic purposes. A review of canine hearing, anatomy and physiology of the auditory system and common audiological assessments used for this population will be covered. The status of contemporary canine audiology practices will be discussed, including current 146advances about auditory cognition and noise-induced hearing loss in dogs. Suggestions will be proposed regarding the future direction of the field. The management of hearing loss in dogs, including recommendations for training and rehabilitation, will conclude this chapter.

Current and proposed human development throughout high northern latitudes must assess and try to mitigate impacts on caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) herds. Sound created by development can be far-reaching, and determining the potential impacts of noise on wildlife can inform landscape use. To advance our understanding of Rangifer’s potential response to anthropogenic noise, we must first understand what they can hear. Using domestic reindeer from the Large Animal Research Station at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, we performed a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response to estimate auditory thresholds of the species. We assessed the central auditory response and tested the sensitivity in 6 female reindeer of various ages. Prior to our work, the lowest audible frequency for the species was reported to be 63 Hz in previous studies. We identified an auditory threshold lower limit of 30 Hz in our study subjects and quantified reindeer sensitivity thresholds (dB peSPL) to frequencies ranging from 30 to 16,000 Hz. Our results indicate that anthropogenic sounds previously thought to be beyond the hearing range of Rangifer—such as seismic exploration—are likely to be audible to the species, and therefore have the potential to affect their soundscape. We compared our findings on Rangifer hearing with new measurements of anthropogenic sounds recorded on passive acoustic monitors distributed throughout northern Alaska, as well as biological sounds produced by the Rangifer themselves (e.g., vocalizations and sesamoid clicks produced by the ankles). All classes of anthropogenic sound fall within the threshold range that we identified for Rangifer. Our findings have important implications for the assessment of environmental impacts within Rangifer range and will inform future soundscape ecology research.

INTRODUCTION:Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel who practice breaching with blast exposure are at risk for blast-related head trauma. We aimed to investigate the impact of low-level blast exposure on underlying white matter (WM) microstructure based on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation and density imaging (NODDI) in SWAT personnel before and after breacher training. Diffusion tensor imaging is an advanced MRI technique sensitive to underlying WM alterations. NODDI is a novel MRI technique emerged recently that acquires diffusion weighted data from multiple shells modeling for different compartments in the microstructural environment in the brain. We also aimed to evaluate the effect of a jugular vein compression collar device in mitigating the alteration of the diffusion properties in the WM as well as its role as a moderator on the association between the diffusion property changes and the blast exposure.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Twenty-one SWAT personnel (10 non-collar and 11 collar) completed the breacher training and underwent MRI at both baseline and after blast exposure. Diffusion weighted data were acquired with two shells (b = 1,000, 2,000 s/mm2) on 3T Phillips scanners. Diffusion tensor imaging metrices, including fractional anisotropy, mean, axial, and radial diffusivity, and NODDI metrics, including neurite density index (NDI), isotropic volume fraction (fiso), and orientation dispersion index, were calculated. Tract-based spatial statistics was used in the voxel-wise statistical analysis. Post hoc analyses were performed for the quantification of the pre- to post-blast exposure diffusion percentage change in the WM regions with significant group difference and for the assessment of the interaction of the relationship between blast exposure and diffusion alteration.RESULTS:The non-collar group exhibited significant pre- to post-blast increase in NDI (corrected P < .05) in the WM involving the right internal capsule, the right posterior corona radiation, the right posterior thalamic radiation, and the right sagittal stratum. A subset of these regions showed significantly greater alteration in NDI and fiso in the non-collar group when compared with those in the collar group (corrected P < .05). In addition, collar wearing exhibited a significant moderating effect for the alteration of fiso for its association with average peak pulse pressure.CONCLUSIONS:Our data provided initial evidence of the impact of blast exposure on WM diffusion alteration based on both DTI and NODDI. The mitigating effect of WM diffusivity changes and the moderating effect of collar wearing suggest that the device may serve as a promising solution to protect WM against blast exposure.

By Zoe Heimbrock, Communication Sciences and Disorders Advisor: Peter Scheifele Abstract: Statistical data was collected and analyzed on the prevalence of hearing loss of puppies that were tested in FETCHLAB. Similar results to current data were found.

Studies of canine hearing using auditory measures have been ongoing since the 1980s. Congenital deafness has been identified in over 80 breeds of dog. Auditory evoked potentials, specifically, the auditory brainstem response, or brainstem auditory evoked response, is the gold standard for auditory assessment in dogs. Hearing loss in dogs can either be inherited or acquired. Inherited hearing loss results from genetic defects, commonly occurring in dogs with white pigmentation patterns, whereas acquired hearing loss can originate from intrauterine infection, middle ear dysfunction, ototoxicity, presbycusis, or noise exposure. To identify congenital hearing loss a hearing screen is warranted. To identify the type and degree of hearing loss, a diagnostic audiological assessment is warranted. Protocols for screening have been previously identified and adhered to over the past several years; however, standardized protocols specifically for diagnostic testing in dogs vary across the literature. Diagnostic testing should include a battery of audiological measures to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the outer, middle and inner ear, vestibulocochlear nerve and central auditory pathway. Research is ongoing regarding effective and practical assessment approaches in dogs for diagnostic purposes. A review of canine hearing, anatomy and physiology of the auditory system and common audiological assessments used for this population will be covered. The status of contemporary canine audiology practices will be discussed, including current 146advances about auditory cognition and noise-induced hearing loss in dogs. Suggestions will be proposed regarding the future direction of the field. The management of hearing loss in dogs, including recommendations for training and rehabilitation, will conclude this chapter.

Do captive Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiops truncatus Montagu, have impaired hearing? This study compared the AEP results from captive dolphins to those who are trained by the Navy in the open ocean. The dolphins removed from the wild and relocated to captive environments could have a reduced hearing range as a result of the transfer to an area with potentially increased baseline noise levels. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) tests were conducted with underwater acoustic stimuli projection and reception in both the captive and the Navy dolphins. Tursiops truncatus Montagu has a range of hearing from 0.1-120 kHz. The hearing of dolphins that were born in captivity was closest to the naval dolphins in the ocean compared to those who were rescued from the wild. Captive dolphins were exposed to a constant 0.1-kHz noise levels for a brief period of time. This may potentially have had an effect on the latency of the peaks I-V and the correlating troughs in their ABR waveform. The results of this study can be used to assess auditory health of marine mammals and to determine the effect of anthropogenic noise levels whether in captive or natural marine mammal environments.

Marine mammals rely heavily on acoustic cues to survive but are susceptible to hearing impairment due to anthropogenic noise. The quality of life and well-being of marine mammals under professional care is based on enrichment through training and communication conspecifics and zoo staff. Mismatch Negativity (MMN) is an electrophysiological exam that records synchronized firing of neurons from the auditory cortex and frontal lobe, allowing for assessment of echoic memory and sound differentiation capability. The objective of this study is to conduct MMN exams, with acoustic stimuli, on the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus Montagu) to study echoic memory and develop auditory cognition assessments for marine mammals in captivity. Three male Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins were tested in water at the Indianapolis Zoo. The oddball paradigm in this study included a frequency difference between two pure-tone stimuli (standard 2000 Hz, deviant 500 Hz). The results suggest that a similar MMN waveform morphology and latency (between 100 and 300 ms) are seen in dolphins when compared to humans. Average P1, N1, P2, and MMN values were determined for each dolphin. Developing MMN tests for animals under professional care will allow for application to marine mammals in natural habitats, which are exposed to high levels of anthropogenic noise.

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel who conduct breacher exercises are at risk for blast-related head trauma. We aimed to investigate the potential impact of low-level blast exposure during breacher training on the neural functioning of working memory and auditory network connectivity. We also aimed to evaluate the effects of a jugular vein compression collar, designed to internally mitigate slosh energy absorption, preserving neural functioning and connectivity, following blast exposure. A total of 23 SWAT personnel were recruited and randomly assigned to a non-collar (n=11) and collar group (n=12). All participants completed a 1-day breacher training with multiple blast exposure. Prior to and following training, 18 participants (non-collar, n=8; collar, n=10) completed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of working memory using N-Back task; 20 participants (non-collar, n=10; collar, n=12) completed resting-state fMRI. Key findings from the working memory analysis include significantly increased fMRI brain activation in the right insular, right superior temporal pole, right inferior frontal gyrus, and pars orbitalis post-training for the non-collar group (p<0.05, threshold-free cluster enhancement corrected), but no changes were noted for the collar group. The elevation in fMRI activation in the non-collar group was found to correlate significantly (n=7, r=0.943, p=0.001) with average peak impulse amplitude experienced during the training. In the resting-state fMRI analysis, significant pre- to post-training increase in connectivity between the auditory network and two discrete regions (left middle frontal gyrus and left superior lateral occipital/angular gyri) was found in the non-collar group, while no change was observed in the collar group. These data provided initial evidence of the impact of low-level blast on working memory and auditory network connectivity as well as the protective effect of collar on brain function following blast exposure, and is congruent with previous collar findings in sport-related traumatic brain injury.

As part of a larger problem solving study, 22 dogs who were identified by owners/clients as reacting to noise and 13 identified by owners/clients as not reacting to noise that had been previously compared for auditory function were compared with respect to their reported noise reactions, performance on a puzzle box test, response to a provocative noise recording, and movement. Each dog was evaluated using a standardized, validated, semi-quantitative objective questionnaire from which an Anxiety Intensity Rank (AIR) score was calculated. AIR score calculations reflect the number of categories of noise to which the dog reacts, the behaviors exhibited, and the intensity of the reaction. Each dog underwent a 13 item problem-solving test (The Canine Intelligence Test Protocol; CITP) designed to evaluate 4 standardly evaluated cognitive domains. We report on two of the 13 tests - the puzzle box test and the provocative noise test - for this group of dogs. During testing most dogs wore collars containing accelerometers using custom firmware which provided second-by-second 3D movement data. AIR scores for the 2 groups differed significantly (Welch's t tests; t = 4.34, df = 19.23, P < 0.0004), although the affected group was only mildly affected. Affected dogs took longer to solve the tasks and, overall, did more poorly (P < 0.5). Accelerometry revealed that during testing, movements of affected dogs were more erratic, less continuous and subject to greater extreme deviations and longer pauses than were the movements of unaffected dogs. Even dogs mildly affected with fear of noises differed from unaffected dogs, and performed more poorly on problem-solving tests possibly, in part, because their movements were characterized by a high degree of physical and behavioral/emotional reactivity. Reactions to noise affect how these dogs move, which may affect every investigatory and interactive aspect of their lives. Combining AIR scores with movement measures may be a useful method to assess welfare in pet dogs.

Arabian horses are an expressive breed. It has been determined that domestic horse whinnies have two unrelated fundamental frequencies, termed F(0) and G(0), with their harmonics such as F(2), etc. F(0) can be connected to arousal, while G(0) to mood. Fifteen Arabian whinnies during quiet barn conditions were analyzed to determine typical calm F(0) and G(0) values. A limited number of whinnies were than obtained from a corralled stallion during his recognition, anticipation, and culmination of a mare being brought to nuzzling distance on the other side of the fence. The spectra of his prenuzzling whinnies are as might be expected but after the culmination he gives a loud whinny with a complex structure that is not totally understood.

The present study researches five different penguin species vocalizations who currently residing at the Newport Aquarium in Newport, KY. These penguins—while different species—coexist in the same habitat at the Newport Aquarium. It was purposed that the different species do not “speak the same language” and therefore do not respond to different species of penguin’s calls, despite sharing the same enclosure. Therefore, this study aimed at collecting and categorizing the different species’ calls and then proceeding to analyze the vocal data to see if any of the species shared similar vocal spectrum similarities. Once collected, the aim of this data is twofold: primarily to classify the different penguin species calls—especially during specific events (i.e., defending a nest, distress, calling for a mate, etc.) and secondarily to analyze the vocal spectral energy of the different species to see if similarities exist.

I removed temporal bone sections from human cadavers with the help of my colleagues. From there, I utilized a Dremel tool to access the otic capsule and remove the malleus, incus, and stapes from each section. Not all attempts were successful due to the fragile nature of these bones. I extracted a total of 5 stapes, an incus, and 2 mallei in total. These bones were photographed using photomicrography: a 35 mm film camera attached to a microscope. The purpose of this research is to provide high quality images of the middle ear ossicles for educational purposes and learning tools. The ossicles will also be present in addition to the poster for individuals to hold and accurately grasp the size of these bones.

The present study researches the acoustic habitat of the penguin exhibited at Newport Aquarium in Newport, KY by means of measuring environmental noise within their exhibit. Noise exposure has been well studied in humans by using a weighted decibel scale to provide safety guidelines for the level of noise and the maximum time one can be exposed to each level. Therefore, the same principle is being used to observe if these animals are experiencing noise pollution from their own environmental sounds. The absorption coefficients of the materials that make up the habitat were also taken into consideration during data collection. The aim of this research is to gather calculations for the time it takes for the sound pressure level to reduce by 60dB (RT60) after periods of vocalization by the colony of penguins and to determine if these reverberation values reach the peak sensitivity of hearing thresholds for them.

Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky, strives to engage its visitors in the educational importance of aquatic life and conservation. Through a variety of research programs and volunteerism, the aquarium promotes local and global efforts for animal advocacy. An important component of their organization is the diversity of education offered to its daily patrons and guests. The purpose of this project was to examine the acoustic and behavioral characteristics of penguin vocalizations in an effort to create an educational exhibit targeting school-age visitors. Vocalization samples of the 5 penguin species housed at Newport Aquariums’ Kroger Penguin Palooza exhibit were recorded at various times of the day, over a 5-month period. In addition to the recordings of the various penguins, behavioral characteristics were also noted in correspondence with the individual call and species. The calls were spectrally analyzed using SpectraPLUS software system, looking specifically at frequency, power, and sound pressure levels. Spectrogram plots were also documented to identify penguin vocalization variances and species identification. A Hidden Markov Model used this information to categorize and cluster vocalizations in an effort to classify them. The information extracted about the vocalizations and acoustic variances will be used for educational and exhibit purposes for the aquarium.

Asian Small-Clawed Otters (Amblonyx cinerea) are small creatures found in many areas of southern and southeastern Asia, as well as Indonesia. They mate for life and communicate with one another using a wide variety of vocalizations from long, drawn out cries, to small yipping noises. The vocalizations of these otters were recorded in the back up area of the Newport Aquarium and Wellington Zoo and analyzed in Spectra Plus to determine the spectrogram contour of each vocalization. The goal of this research was to gather and compile data on the way the Asian Small-Clawed Otter communicates in order to better understand the way these animals live. These data will now be used to perform vocal clustering and classification using a Hidden Markov model, spectral moments, and geometric contour classification (Lofft, 2009; Williamson, 2014).

Sound production is a critical component of predator-prey interactions. In order to understand why seahorses produce sound in various instances (i.e., courtship, feeding, and stress), we must first quantify the acoustic parameters of the signal. Seahorses produce sound with a stridulation of the supraoccipital bone and the coronet by moving their head upwards in a motion that is referred to as a “snick.” The acoustic signal that accompanies this head movement is called a “click.” We set out to analyze the sound parameters of the largest seahorse species, Hippocampus abdominalis, housed at the Newport Aquarium. Adult and juveniles were tested each individually and allowed one hour to acclimate to an isolated tank. Feeding on brine shrimp (Genus: Artemia) was observed with video and audio recordings that were collected for approximately 12 minutes. SpectraPLUS was used to evaluate the frequency, intensity, and number of clicks present in the audio recordings. The video footage allowed for analysis of the presence of the snick. By characterizing the sound production in this species of seahorse we are able to begin to answer the question of the purpose for the click and snick behavior.