Abstract: Temporal attributes of pitch processing at cortical and subcortical levels shaped by language experience are differentially weighted and well-coordinated. The question is whether language experience induced functional modulation of hemispheric preference is complemented by selective brainstem ear symmetry for pitch processing. Brainstem frequency-following and cortical pitch responses were recorded concurrently from Mandarin and English participants. A Mandarin syllable (in both speech and non-speech context) with a rising pitch contour (Mandarin Tone 2) was presented monaurally to both ears. At the cortical level, left ear stimulation in the Chinese group revealed an experience-dependent enhanced response for pitch processing in the right hemisphere, consistent with a functional account. The English group revealed a contralateral hemisphere preference consistent with a structural account. At the brainstem level, the Chinese participants showed a functional leftward ear asymmetry, whereas English were consistent with a structural account. Taken together, the cortical RH preference for processing pitch-relevant information in the Chinese group may reflect, at least in part, experience-dependent enhanced input from the right IC. Thus, RH preference seen at the cortical level may already be emerging at the subcortical level. Overall, language experience appears to modulate both cortical hemispheric preference and brainstem ear asymmetry in a complementary manner to optimize processing of temporal attributes of pitch.

This year’s SHRP schedule is available here: https://purdue.edu/TPAN/hearing/shrp_schedule 

Titles and abstracts of all SHRP talks are here: https://purdue.edu/TPAN/hearing/shrp_abstracts