New fMRI methods for hearing and speech

In this short review, we outline the challenges presented by the hostile environment for auditory fMRI. There are two main elements to this: the high level magnetic fields and the intense sound generated by the scanner operation. We then describe a series of techniques that have been employed to minimize the effects of the scanner noise on the subject and upon the subject's evoked responses to sound stimuli. These include scanner designs, passive attenuation, use of specifically designed scanning sequences, specially designed sound delivery systems and active noise control. Finally, we briefly describe the use of some of these in combination to allow measurement of sound activation of different brain areas non-invasively using fMRI.