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The medial olivocochlear efferent system in humans: structure and function.
S Maison1, C Micheyl, L Collet
1Université Claude Bernard LYON 1, Laboratoire Neurosciences & Systèmes Sensoriels, UPRES-A CNRS 5020, Hôpital E Herriot, France. smaison@olfac.univ-lyon1.fr
Scandinavian Audiology. Supplementum
|May 10, 2000
Summary
The medial olivocochlear efferents
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Neuroscience
- Oto-neurology
Background:
- Mammalian cochlear innervation involves lateral and medial olivocochlear bundles.
- Origins and terminations of these efferent fibers are increasingly understood.
- The functional significance of lateral efferents is unknown, and medial efferent roles remain controversial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize psychophysiological studies in humans on the functional significance of medial olivocochlear efferents.
- To clarify the role of medial olivocochlear system feedback in hearing.
Main Methods:
- Review of psychophysiological studies conducted in humans.
- Analysis of research on medial olivocochlear system activation and its peripheral effects.
Main Results:
- Peripheral effects of medial olivocochlear system activation have been documented.
- The precise role of this inhibitory feedback onto the cochlea is still under investigation.
Conclusions:
- The functional significance of medial olivocochlear efferents in human hearing requires further elucidation.
- Ongoing research aims to clarify the controversial role of this auditory feedback system.