Effects of Infrasound Exposure on the Vestibular Function

About This Grant

Project Summary Humans can be exposed to infrasound (IS), defined as low-frequency sound waves below 20 Hz, through both natural and artificial sources. Whether IS exposure affects human health remains highly controversial. Individuals living near IS sources often report symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, ear pressure, nausea, tinnitus, and headaches, potentially linked to vestibular dysfunction. However, no studies have demonstrated whether IS directly activates the vestibular system or whether long-term IS exposure causes vestibular dysfunction. This project seeks to address this knowledge gap by investigating the physiological effects of IS exposure on the vestibular system using a rodent model. The application brings together the combined expertise of two highly specialized teams. The team in the National Center for Physical Acoustics (NCPA) at the University of Mississippi offers extensive experience in designing and testing enclosures capable of generating high-amplitude infrasound and low-frequency audible signals with precision. The team in the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) contributes its expertise in studying sound-evoked vestibular responses in animal models. The project proposes two specific aims: Aim 1: Design and construct an enclosure to expose animals to precisely controlled and calibrated high-amplitude IS and low-frequency sound (NCPA). Aim 2: Utilize the enclosure developed in Aim 1 to investigate the effects of IS exposure on the vestibular system in rats (UMMC). This includes studying the impacts of a single IS stimulation on vestibular function by measuring vestibular afferent activities, as well as assessing whether chronic IS exposure induces vestibular dysfunction and structural changes. The findings from this study will provide critical, evidence-based insights into the mechanisms underlying IS-related vestibular symptoms.