The Role of ERP in Evaluation of Auditory Selective Attention

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Otorhinolaryngologist, Associate Professor, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD candidate of Audiology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Audiology department, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: Auditory selective attention refers to the mental ability to resist distractor stimuli and to select relevant information from the surrounding acoustic events. Four processes are fundamental to attention: working memory, competitive selection, bottom-up, and top-down sensitivity control. ERP is a useful tool for evaluating selective attention.
Method: In the present review article, relevant topics on the role of ERP in evaluating selective attention was searched in Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases using keywords including selective attention, ERP, working memory, bottom up, and top down control between the years 1988 up to 2015.
Conclusion: Auditory attention selects the information to enter the working memory. Access to working memory is determined by the relative signal strengths of competing representations of information. Signal strength is modulated automatically by bottom-up salience filters and is modulated top-down by bias signals that are controlled by working memory and voluntary control of attention is mediated by a recurrent loop comprising working memory, top-down sensitivity control, and competitive selection. The framework for attention proposed in the current review is intended to act as a tool to facilitate the study of neural mechanisms underlying auditory attention by ERPs. Two principal models regarding auditory selective attention are “gain theory” and “attentional trace theory”, the first related to lower level and cochlea and the second to cortical level.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Volume 6, Issue 1
March and April 2017
Pages 264-278

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 February 2016
  • Revise Date: 17 April 2016
  • Accept Date: 02 May 2016
  • First Publish Date: 21 March 2017

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