Modulation of Sound Sensitivity

An interesting discovery by researchers with be published in Neuroscience regarding the hair cells of the inner ear. Using a high voltage electron microscope, the researchers determined that the rootlets of the hair cells continue through the cell to the striated organelle which is believed to be responsible for the cell's stability. With the striated organelle connecting the rootlets to the cell membrane, this offers the opportunity of feedback from the cell to the very detectors that detect motion. One of the researchers states the following: "this suggests a new way to envision how hair cells work. Just as the brain adjusts the sensitivity of retinal cells in the eye to light, it may also modulate the sensitivity of hair cells in the inner ear to sound and head position". Feedback from the brain could be what changes the tension on the rootlets of the hair cells and their sensitivity to stimuli.

Do you find that children with sound sensitivity also have vestibular processing problems or vice versa? I have been looking for research on this topic and have come up with some that states vestibular processing problems may be associated with auditory processing problems but have come up empty handed on sound sensitivity. Can anyone offer any insight? Thanks in advance.

 Reference: University of Illinois at Chicago (2012, March 8). Discovery of hair-cell roots suggests the brain modulates sound sensitivity. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 9, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2012/03/120308174651.htm

Postural Control in Standing

Here is an interesting open access research article on the postural control of children in standing. Using a force plate and a visual focus, the researchers examined the changes in postural control in 7-11 year olds and adults. The results indicated that postural stability improved linearly from 7-10 years old, stabilized somewhat at 10-11 years old and then increased to reach the adults level.

The authors discuss that the age range of 7-11 years old is a critical period of improvements in postural stability and processing visual/ vestibular information. One aspect of the study included adding vibration to the subject's ankle to alter somatosensory information. The younger children exhibited increased center of pressure velocity with the vibration and the velocity decreased with age. The authors concluded that only the adults could compensate by predominately using vision to maintain postural control in standing when the vibration was added at the ankles.

The researchers recommend further studies to examine the adolescent period and children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy and ADHD.

You can read the full article here.

Reference: Cuisinier R, Olivier I, Vaugoyeau M, Nougier V, Assaiante C (2011) Reweighting of Sensory Inputs to Control Quiet Standing in Children from 7 to 11 and
in Adults. PLoS ONE 6(5): e19697. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019697

8 Year Old Invents "Twistified Swing"

Check out this news story about an 8 year old boy who invented the "Twistified Swing". Seems like a simple way to adapt swing sets at home for vestibular sensory seekers.

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