Psychological modulation of auditory responses.

In a study of the cyberphysiology (self-regulation) of auditory response, the effects of imagery and suggestion on auditory thresholds were examined in naive subjects (Ss). After a hypnosis-like induction, the Ss, who were not aware of the purpose of the study, were asked to generate and maintain a specific set of images before, during, and after which their auditory thresholds were tested. The Ss were not informed of the purpose of the imagery or audiograms. Following the imagery, which represented cooling and vasoconstriction in the cochlea, audiograms revealed a temporary auditory threshold shift (TTS) in the experimental group only. This TTS response pattern was similar to that produced by exposure to loud noise. Information carried in the image is suggested as the basis for the observed auditory changes. Although a hypnosis-like induction was employed, the Ss' level of hypnotizability did not appear to be related to the findings.