This review summarizes our current understanding of the amygdala. As an important part of the limbic system, the amygdala is highly sensitive to environmental stimuli such as sounds. Although the responses of amygdala neurons to sounds are usually not as robust as those of neurons in the primary auditory cortex, the lowest response thresholds of these neurons are consistent with the behavioral audiogram....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change — this is a general neuroscience review of amygdala function published in a hearing research journal; it does not provide new clinical guidance for audiologists.
Understanding the amygdala's role in auditory processing may inform future research into emotional and psychological responses to hearing loss, tinnitus, and auditory hyperreactivity.
- 01Review covers the amygdala's anatomy, function, and neural connections relevant to auditory processing.
- 02The amygdala, part of the limbic (emotional) brain system, responds to environmental sounds.
- 03Published in Hearing Research, signaling relevance to auditory neuroscience.
- 04No new empirical data are presented; this is a narrative or scoping review.
- 05May have indirect relevance to conditions like hyperacusis or tinnitus-related distress.
The amygdala plays a role in processing auditory environmental stimuli as part of the limbic system.
studysupported- PMID
- 42925574
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.heares.2026.109839.
- Journal
- Hearing Research
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 5
- Population
- Not applicable — narrative review of existing literature
- Intervention
- Review of amygdala function and neural basis in auditory processing
Primary outcomes
Summary of amygdala function in auditory environmental stimulus processing; Neural basis of amygdala activity within the limbic system