Peter M. Scheifele

Indication of a Lombard vocal response in the St. Lawrence River beluga

Noise pollution is recognized as a potential danger to marine mammals in general, and to the St. Lawrence beluga in particular. One method of determining the impacts of noise on an animals communication is to observe a natural and repeatable response of the vocal system to variations in noise level. This is accomplished by observing intensity changes in animal vocalizations in response to environmental noise. One such response observed in humans, songbirds, and some primates is the Lombard vocal response. This response represents a vocal system reaction manifested by changes in vocalization level in direct response to changes in the noise field. In this research, a population of belugas in the St. Lawrence River Estuary was tested to determine whether a Lombard response existed by using hidden Markhov-classified vocalizations as targets for acoustical analyses. Correlation and regression analyses of signals and noise indicated that the phenomenon does exist. Further, results of human subjects experiments [Egan, J. J. (1966), Ph.D. dissertation; Scheifele, P. M. (2003), Ph.D. dissertation], along with previously reported data from other animal species, are similar to those exhibited by the belugas. Overall, findings suggest that typical noise levels in the St. Lawrence River Estuary have a detectable effect on the communication of the beluga.

Effect of kennel noise on hearing in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the degree of noise to which kenneled dogs were exposed in 2 typical kennels and to determine whether a measurable change in hearing might have developed as a result of exposure to this noise. ANIMALS 14 dogs temporarily housed in 2 kennel environments. PROCEDURES Noise levels were measured for a 6-month period in one environment (veterinary technical college kennel) and for 3 months in another (animal shelter). Auditory brainstem response testing was performed on dogs in the veterinary kennel 48 hours and 3 and 6 months after arrival. Temporal changes in the lowest detectable response levels for wave V were analyzed. RESULTS Acoustic analysis of the kennel environments revealed equivalent sound level values ranging between 100 and 108 dB sound pressure level for the 2 kennels. At the end of 6 months, all 14 dogs that underwent hearing tests had a measured change in hearing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of the noise assessments indicated levels that are damaging to the human auditory system. Such levels could be considered dangerous for kenneled dogs as well, particularly given the demonstrated hearing loss in dogs housed in the veterinary kennel for a prolonged period. Noise abatement strategies should be a standard part of kennel design and operation when such kennels are intended for long-term housing of dogs.

Analysis and effectiveness of deer whistles for motor vehicles: frequencies, levels, and animal threshold responses

Whitetail deer (Odocileus virginianus) are common across much of the United States. In areas where deer populations are prevalent, there is a propensity for interactions with automobiles. Various methods have been suggested for reducing the number of automobile-deer collisions, including acoustic devices such as deer whistles. Six different whistles were tested in the laboratory and on motor vehicles. Frequencies and intensities generated by the devices when mounted on vehicles at speeds from 30–45 miles per hour were determined. The primary frequency of operation of the closed end whistles on vehicles was determined to be approximately 3.3 kHz with little variation with changes in air pressure. Open-end whistles had a primary frequency of about 12 kHz, with significant variation with changes in air pressure. The best frequency range of hearing for whitetail deer appears to be between 2 and 6 kHz. The effectiveness of these devices was concluded based on the comparison of the acoustical attributes of the devices to deer hearing thresholds and acoustic behavior.

Cognitive intervention results in web-based videophone treatment adherence and improved cognitive scores.

Background We report findings from an intervention study using telehealth modalities to determine whether provision of telehealth services can improve access to care and increase adherence to cognitive therapy in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) while matching traditional care in terms of outcomes. Material/Methods Veterans who were initially non-adherent to clinic-based cognitive therapy were offered a newly developed treatment. The control participants were selected from patient records of veterans who had completed cognitive treatment and matched to MOPS-VI participants on the basis of age, marital or relationship status, and composite memory index score. Baseline and post-treatment cognitive functioning as assessed by the Test of Memory and Learning 2nd Edition (TOMAL-2) was obtained for all participants. The MOPS-VI modules were designed to increase understanding of TBI and elicit problem-solving skills for attention and memory impairment. Results Sixty-seven percent of veterans (who were assigned to the MOPS-VI treatment group because they were initially non-adherent with the clinic-based treatment) completed the MOPS-VI telemedicine treatment. Results of a two-way analysis of Variance (ANOVA) comparing baseline and follow-up scores on the TOMAL-2 in the MOPS-VI and control groups revealed there was a significant pre-post assessment effect, indicating that participant’s memory and learning improved after treatment for both MOPS-VI and standard treatment groups. There was no significant difference between clinic-based treatment and MOPS-VI therapy. Conclusions Preliminary evidence supports the efficacy of the treatment, defined as increased compliance in completing the treatment program, and improvements in standardized memory and learning test results comparable to those following clinic-based treatment.

Electrodiagnostic Evaluation of Auditory Function in the Dog

Given the high incidence of deafness within several breeds of dogs, accurate hearing screening and assessment is essential. In addition to brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing, 2 other electrophysiologic tests are now being examined as audiologic tools for use in veterinary medicine: otoacoustic emissions and the auditory steady state response (ASSR). To improve BAER testing of animals and ensure an accurate interpretation of test findings from one test site to another, the establishment of and adherence to clear protocols is essential. The ASSR holds promise as an objective test for rapid testing of multiple frequencies in both ears simultaneously.

Unsupervised validity measures for vocalization clustering

This paper describes unsupervised speech/speaker cluster validity measures based on a dissimilarity metric, for the purpose of estimating the number of clusters in a speech data set as well as assessing the consistency of the clustering procedure. The number of clusters is estimated by minimizing the cross-data dissimilarity values, while algorithm consistency is evaluated by calculating the dissimilarity values across multiple experimental runs. The method is demonstrated on the task of Beluga whale vocalization clustering.

Canine brainstem auditory evoked responses are not clinically impacted by head size or breed

Accurate assessment of canine hearing is essential to decrease the incidence of hereditary deafness in predisposed breeds and to substantiate hearing acuity. The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) is a widely accepted, objective test used in humans and animals for estimation of hearing thresholds and deafness diagnosis. In contrast to humans, testing and recording parameters for determination of normal values for canine hearing are not available. Conflicting information concerning breed and head size effects on canine BAER tests are major contributors preventing this normalization. The present study utilized standard head measurement techniques coupled with BAER testing and recording parameters modeled from humans to examine the effect canine head size and breed have on BAER results. Forty-three adult dogs from fourteen different breeds had head size measurements and BAER tests performed. The mean latencies compared by breed for waves I, II, III, IV, and V were as follows: 1.46±0.49 ms, 2.52±0.54 ms, 3.45±0.41 ms, 4.53±0.83 ms and 5.53±0.43 ms, respectively. The mean wave I-V latency interval for all breeds was 3.69 ms. All dogs showed similar waveform morphology, structures, including the presence of five waves occurring within 11 ms after stimulus presentation and a significant trough occurring after Wave V. All of the waveform morphology for our subjects occurred with consistent interpeak latencies as shown by statistical testing. All animals had diagnostic results within the expected ranges for each wave latency and interwave interval allowing diagnostic evaluation. Our results establish that neither differences in head size nor breed impact determination of canine BAER waveform morphology, latency, or hearing sensitivity for diagnostic purposes. The differences in canine head size do not have a relevant impact on canine BAERs and are not clinically pertinent to management or diagnostic decisions.

Canine Hearing Loss Management

Dog owners and handlers are naturally concerned when suspicion of hearing loss arises for their dogs. Questions frequently asked of the veterinarian center on warning signs of canine hearing loss and what can be done for the dog if hearing loss is confirmed. This article addresses warning signs of canine hearing loss, communication training and safety awareness issues, and the feasibility of hearing aid amplification for dogs.

Assessment of the acoustic effects on marine animals by an offshore wind farm.

As part of the planning for an offshore wind farm in Rhode Island coastal waters, an assessment of the potential acoustic effects on the ecosystem is being conducted. The developer has proposed to initially deploy eight 3.6‐MW wind turbines within 3 nm of Block Island. Two passive aquatic listener (PAL) systems were deployed south of Block Island from October 6 to November 11, 2008. Using data from the PALs, ambient noise histograms were computed for this pre‐construction phase. The largest sources of noise in the area at low frequencies were found to be from shipping, wind, rain, and biological sources. In addition, transmission loss measurements were also made in the region to calibrate a geoacoustic model. Measurements of airborne noise from a 1.5‐MW land‐based wind turbine already in operation in Rhode Island were made in 1/3‐octave bands and near the proposed windfarm site. A preliminary assessment of the effects of the offshore wind farm on marine animals at these sites will be presented. A plan for...

Environmental assessment of offshore wind power generation near Rhode Island: Acoustic and electromagnetic effects on marine animals.

An offshore wind farm is planned for Rhode Island coastal waters. The developer has proposed to deploy wind turbines in two stages: 5 turbines in shallow waters 5 km south of Block Island and 100 turbines in deeper waters 30 km to the east. As part of the planning of the proposed offshore wind power generation project under the Rhode Island Special Area Management Plan, ambient acoustic and electromagnetic measurements were made in the area. Two passive acoustic listener (PAL) systems were deployed within 4 km of Block Island from October 6 to November 11, 2008. Data from the PALs were used to compute the ocean acoustic noise budget and other statistics by source. Transmission loss measurements were also made to support the noise budget calculation. Measurements of airborne noise from a 1.5‐MW land‐based wind turbine already in operation in Rhode Island were made. To support the electromagnetic effect study, an underwater magnetometer was towed at the two proposed sites and over an operational underwater ...